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Lot 189
Patek Philippe. A rare and unusual silver openface repoussé keyless cylinder watch
SIGNED PATEK, PHILIPPE & CO. GENÈVE, NO. 61'787, MANUFACTURED IN 1880
Closed11 May 2015
Price Realised
CHF 12,500
More Information
Specialist note
With Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch with representation of "St. Georges" to the back in 1880 and its subsequent sale on 22 November 1883.
Fresh to the market this "St. Georges" watch impresses with its extremely well preserved overall condition. Most likely a unique piece, the pierced coat-of-arms to the centre of the dial leads to the assumption that it was made by special order.
St. George, patron of England and legendary slayer of the Dragon, was an early Christian who was martyred under the rule of the Roman Emperor Diocletian in A. D. 303.
The banner of St. George, the red cross of a martyr on a white background, was adopted for the uniform of English soldiers possibly in the reign of Richard the First, and later became the flag of England and the White Ensign of the Royal Navy.
The back of the present watch depicts the St. George talisman, showing St. George on horseback, thrusting his lance at a dragon and the inscription "S. GEORGIUS EQUITUM PATRONUS" (St. George, protector of knights) on one side. The reverse shows a ship in full sail on a rough sea and Christ asleep on the deck with two terrified apostles, a wind blows through a small cloud into the sail and the inscription "IN TEMPESTATE SECURITAS" (protection in the storm).
Fresh to the market this "St. Georges" watch impresses with its extremely well preserved overall condition. Most likely a unique piece, the pierced coat-of-arms to the centre of the dial leads to the assumption that it was made by special order.
St. George, patron of England and legendary slayer of the Dragon, was an early Christian who was martyred under the rule of the Roman Emperor Diocletian in A. D. 303.
The banner of St. George, the red cross of a martyr on a white background, was adopted for the uniform of English soldiers possibly in the reign of Richard the First, and later became the flag of England and the White Ensign of the Royal Navy.
The back of the present watch depicts the St. George talisman, showing St. George on horseback, thrusting his lance at a dragon and the inscription "S. GEORGIUS EQUITUM PATRONUS" (St. George, protector of knights) on one side. The reverse shows a ship in full sail on a rough sea and Christ asleep on the deck with two terrified apostles, a wind blows through a small cloud into the sail and the inscription "IN TEMPESTATE SECURITAS" (protection in the storm).