Unique Swiss 18K gold and enamel keyless watch Circa 1996

Gold and enamel full hunter
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A unique Swiss 18 carat gold hunting cased keyless pocket watch made by Patek Philippe in Geneva, circa 1996. The movement with a lever escapement and 18 jewels. Opaline silvered dial with applied gold Breguet hour numerals, an outer dot minute track, subsidiary seconds with baton indexes at 6 o’clock and gold moon hands. The case with a polychrome enamel scene on the front depicting a capuchin monkey and an opossum, the hinged back is personally inscribed Specialement fait pour Daniel Young Patek Philippe S.A. 21 Mai 1995. Dial, case and movement signed by the watchmaker, the enamel on the front cover is signed G. Menni, case and movement numbered. Comes with an Extract from the Archives confirming the date of sale on April 22nd, 1997.
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Diameter: 48 mm
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Signed: Patek Philippe Genève Swiss
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Reference 980, Sajou et Sarigue Souris.
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Miniature enamel painting is an exceptional art form. To reproduce a painting onto the back of a watch, just a few centimeters across, requires extraordinary talent.

G. Menni painted approximately 50 miniature enamels for Patek Philippe from the early 1980s until the late 1990s. Together with Susanne Rohr, he shares the most reputable signature in the field. Among his most famous scenes are the Picasso ‘Clown’ from 1989 and the Canaletto ‘Canale Grande’ from 1984. Menni’s enamels include portraits, mythological scenes, landscapes, naval battles and sporting motifs.

Traditionally, enamel pocket watches from Patek Philippe come as open faced pieces, with enamelling on the back cover. Thus it is unusual to find the present watch, a hunting cased timepiece, with the enamel painting on the front cover.