Swiss 18 Carat gold open faced cylinder pocket watch Circa 1860

Gold cylinder watch by Patek Philippe & Co
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A fine and very rare Swiss, 18 Carat gold pocket watch, circa 1860. With Adrien Philippe’s first patented stem-wind and hand setting mechanism of 1845 without coasting. An engine turned and polished case with vacant cartouche, flat topped winding crown, reeded band. Hinged gold cuvette. White enamel dial with radial Roman numerals, outer minute track and subsidiary seconds. Blued steel spade hands. A frosted gilt movement, bar calibre, eight jewels, wolf’s tooth winding, cylinder escapement, plain three arm balance, blued steel flat balance spring, index regulator.
Cuvette signed and numbered, case numbered and stamped L.O.
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Diameter: 40,5 mm
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Signed: Patek Philippe & Co  Genève
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The present watch uses Adrien Philippe’s first winding and hand setting mechanism, French patent No. 1317 of April 22, 1845. The winding pinion is fixed to the winding shaft. For winding the crown it must be turned clockwise and cannot be turned back with that typical ratchet noise. To disengage the winding to set the hands, the winding crown can be pulled out. Very few watches survive with this early winding mechanism without coasting.