PATEK PHILIPPE. A POSSIBLY UNIQUE, STUNNINGLY ATTRACTIVE AND RICHLY JEWELLED 18K GOLD, DIAMOND, RUBY AND PEARL-SET SKELETONIZED KEYLESS LEVER WATCH WITH RED HANDS

A dazzling masterpiece from Patek Philippe’s haute Joaillerie workshops, the present watch is one of only five known examples of reference 912 and the only example to date known with red hour and minute hands. The hands were most likely fitted by special request of the original owner and perfectly complement the ruby hour markers of the case. Less than 7 mm. thick overall, the openworked movement is a pleasure to contemplate, finely openworked throughout so that it appears light and transparent, it is also beautifully hand-engraved, the spring barrel cover is exquisitely pierced with the Patek Philippe ‘Calatrava’ cross.

The decoration of the case is a triumph of the jewellers art, both bezels and the bow are set with a total of 177 diamonds, 12 rubies are set for use as hour markers and the crown is set with a larger cabochon ruby. Patek Philippe rarely set timepieces with pearls and on those rare occasions they were reserved for only the most expensive and ultra-exclusive watches. The band of the present watch is entirely set with a continuous line of pearls and is certainly one of the most richly bejewelled of Patek Philippe’s skeletonized watches.

This sumptuous timepiece is highly impressive both horologically and aesthetically and is an exceptional prize for the collector of the rarest Patek Philippe watches.