Swiss gold repeating lever split-seconds chronograph Circa 1904

Gold minute repeating chronograph by Patek Philippe
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A very fine and small Swiss 18 carat gold open faced minute repeating split-seconds chronograph lever pocket watch, circa 1904. Retailed by Spaulding & Co, Chicago. Bridge movement, two hammers, two gongs, gold screwed compensation balance. White enamel dial with black Arabic hours and red Arabic minutes, subsidiary seconds at 6 o’clock. Plain case, monogram W.O.J. on the back, punch mark PPC. Dial and cuvette signed by the retailer, movement numbered and signed by the retailer and watchmaker, case numbered. With the original box, certificate and an Extract from the Archives.
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Diameter: 45 mm
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Weight: 87 g
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Signed: Spaulding & Co – Patek Philippe & Cie Genève Suisse
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Tiffany’s in New York and Spaulding’s in Chicago, both attractions not only for clients intending to buy fine jewellery but also for many visitors who just come to enjoy the many exquisite treasures displayed in the shop windows. This is how the famous shop established by Henry Abiram Spaulding, born in 1837 in New York, in 1888 was described by Industrial Chicago in the late 19th century. The shop had flourished and prospered quickly under his management and the Paris branch at Avenue de l’Opera was soon as well-known all over the world as the main shop. Particularly fascinating was the ‘evening room’ in Paris, a salesroom outfitted in all-black velvet.
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Just like Tiffany’s, Spaulding’s had watches delivered by Patek Philippe that already carried their own signatures.