Swiss gold, platinum, diamond set watch by Patek Circa 1911

Gold, platinum, enamel and diamond set art nouveau watch
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Rare yellow gold, platinum, enamel and diamond-set art nouveau styled open faced keyless watch with enamel cartouche and matching chain, made in 191. Manual winding movement
18 Carat Yellow gold , bezel, band and bow highlighted with translucent blue enamel, translucent blue enamel case back centred by a platinum and diamond-set cartouche with an enamel portrait of “Amours” in Limoges style over engined turned ground
White enamel dial with Arabic numerals, and decorative gold hands. Signed case, dial, cuvette and movement.
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Diameter: 25 mm
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Signed: Patek, Philippe & Cie Genève
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Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of this watch with enamel dial, Dauphine numerals, gilt minute figures in 1911 and its subsequent sale in 1912

The Art Nouveau movement first started to appear in the 1890’s and was particularly suited to jewellery and watches. Watches were embellished with enamel, pearls, and diamonds and were then often blended with platinum to create scenes of shining light.

Platinum is both light and robust and can be pierced and cut to create wonderful designs. The use of grey-blue translucent enamel was incredibly fashionable during the Art Nouveau period.

This pocket watch, fresh to the market is a wonderful example of an Art Nouveau Patek Philippe pocket watch with a similarly decorated associated matching chain. The watch and chain are decorated with translucent grey-blue enamel that is surrounded by white enamel garland of flowers and leaves. The case back has a delicate frame of diamond-set, finely pierced platinum that creates a cartouche surrounding a polychrome enamel painting of “Amours” in Limoges style.