Unique Swiss gold lever with enamel miniature portrait Circa 1974

Gold open faced lever dress watch
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An extremely fine and unique Swiss 18K yellow gold keyless dress watch, circa 1974. With exceptional polychrome painted on enamel miniature portrait of General La Fayette. Accompanied by the original Patek Philippe fitted box and Certificate of Origin, original retailer’s sales receipt of January 31st, 1975, Patek Philippe valuation correspondence from 1979-2001 and the Extract from the Archives. The miniature by J. Pellarin-Leroy after Joseph Desire Court’s portrait of Gilbert Motier, Marquis de La Fayette as Lieutenant General of 1791. The movement was made in 1962, encased in 1974 and sold on December 20th, 1974.
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The back is decorated with a painted on enamel miniature portrait of General La Fayette after the painting by Joseph Desire Court of 1791. Matte silver dial with applied yellow gold faceted baton indexes, outer minute divisions, subsidiary seconds and yellow gold baton hands. A rhodium-plated movement, Geneva striping decoration, stamped twice with the Seal of Geneva quality mark, 18 jewels, straight-line lever escapement, cut bimetallic compensation balance, blued steel flat balance spring, index regulator. Dial, case and movement signed, the enamel signed J. Pellarin-Leroy.
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Diameter: 47 mm
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Signed: Patek Philippe  Genève
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In the same family since its original purchase, this unique watch retains the original certificate of Origin and sales receipt. The enamel portrait by J. Pellarin-Leroy is extremely well executed and colourful, accurately capturing the spirit of Joseph Desire Court’s glamorous original painting of 1791. Along with Suzanne Rohr, Pellarin-Leroy was one of the finest enamellists working for Patek Philippe.
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Marie-Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de La Fayette (1757-1834) Often known as simply La Fayette, was a French aristocrat and military officer. La Fayette was a general in the American Revolutionary War and a leader of the National Guard in France during the French Revolution. In the American Revolution, Lafayette served as a major general in the Continental Army under George Washington. La Fayette was a personal friend of Washington and was granted honorary American citizenship. Along with Winston Churchill, La Fayette is perhaps the most beloved foreigner to Americans.