Patek Philippe. A very fine and attractive, unique gilt brass and gold-wire cloisonné enamel quartz table clock with original certificate
Lot 159 PATEK PHILIPPE
Nymphenburg Porcelain Dome Clock

The Property of the Original Owner

Patek Philippe. A very fine and attractive, unique gilt brass and gold-wire cloisonné enamel quartz table clock with original certificate

Signed Patek Philippe, Genève, Dome, "Nymphenburg Porcelain", ref. 1660M, movement no. 22’188, case no. 1'804'962, manufactured in 2013

Closed15 May 2017

Price Realised

CHF 112,500

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Patek Philippe. A very fine and attractive, unique gilt brass and gold-wire cloisonné enamel quartz table clock with original certificate
Signed Patek Philippe, Genève, Dome, "Nymphenburg Porcelain", ref. 1660M, movement no. 22’188, case no. 1'804'962, manufactured in 2013
Movement: quartz, cal. 33'''
Dial: Breguet numerals on raised pink gilt chapter ring, pink gilt feuille hands, mask with polychrome cloisonné enamel floral decoration
Case: gold-plated brass, cylindrical, three panels decorated with polychrome cloisonné enamel flowers on a white ground in the style of Nymphenburg porcelain, domed top decorated to match, three fluted bun feet
Signed: case and movement numbered, cloisonné panel signed by the artist, dial signed
Dimensions: 220 mm. high
With: Patek Philippe Certificate of Origin stamped by the distinguished retailer Wempe, Leipzig and dated 21st December 2013, product literature, leather folder, outer packaging and copy of the "KunstWerkUhr" catalogue

Specialist note

Purchased by the present owner in December 2013, this Dome clock has never been offered in public before and impresses with its excellent overall condition.

This unique piece was chosen by Patek Philippe as part of their prestigious exhibition "KunstWerkUhr" of October 2013 at the Kunsthalle, Munich.

The three cloisonné enamel curved side panels, dome and dial feature artistic flower and foliage motifs inspired by designs of the famous Nymphenburg Porcelain Manufactory in Munich. The design is created by the highly skilled enamel artist using approximately 33 opaque, opalescent and transparent enamel colours, each element requiring eight firings at a temperature of 850 degrees centigrade. The design required an incredible 47.99 metres of 0.6 mm gold wire with a total weight of 96 grams.

The cloisonné enamel technique is used by Patek Philippe only for very small editions of timepieces or unique dome clocks. The very limited production is a result of the few artisans skilled enough to decorate the clock's challenging curved surfaces, works of art in their own right and highly appreciated in today's collector market. Since their launch in 1955, few examples of these clocks are produced every year, each unique by its individually decorated case featuring engravings of varying pattern, cloisonné enamel scenes or leather-covered with applied ornaments. The completion of one single clock can take up to a year resulting in a unique and exceptionally beautiful work of art.

Examples of Dome clocks are prominently illustrated and described in Patek Philippe Museum - Patek Philippe Watches Vol. II, pp. 403 - 411.