Swiss Staybrite stainless steel open faced pocket watch Circa 1934

Steel open faced keyless lever pocket watch
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A rare Swiss Staybrite stainless steel open faced pocket watch retailed by Eberhard Milan, made by Patek Philippe in Geneva, circa 1934. It has a mechanical 18”’ calibre crown winding movement with a lever escapement, signed Patek Philippe & Cie. Genève. The satin silver dial features applied baton index hour markers, an outer minute track, a subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o’clock, and steel hands, signed Patek Philippe & Cie. Genève and retailed by Eberhard Milan above the seconds counter. The timepiece is housed in a Staybrite stainless steel François Borgel open faced case with a plain polished finish, a round suspension bow, a fluted winding crown, and a snap on back cover bearing the F.B. key hallmark internally. The watch is accompanied by an Extract from the Archives.
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Diameter: 47 mm
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Signed: Patek Philippe & Cie. Genève
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François Borgel was a pioneering Geneva casemaker known for creating early dust and waterproof watch cases. After patenting his iconic screw case design in 1891, his workshop became a trusted supplier to prestigious watchmakers like Patek Philippe, marking its creations with the famous “FB” key hallmark. After his death in 1912, the business was acquired in 1924 by Taubert & Fils, who continued using the Borgel name and trademark on high quality steel cases, cementing Borgel’s legacy as a symbol of exceptional case craftsmanship in vintage horology.
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Eberhard Milano on a Patek Philippe dial indicates the pocket watch was originally sold through Eberhard’s prestigious retail presence in Milan, Italy. During the early to mid 20th century, Patek Philippe often allowed top tier authorized dealers to add their business name to the dial, creating rare double signed timepieces. While Eberhard & Co. was a Swiss manufacturer, its Milan outlet served as a major distribution hub for luxury Swiss horology, making Patek Philippe pieces co branded with Eberhard highly collectable today due to their rarity and rich provenance.
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Staybrite is a historical brand name for a specific type of stainless steel that was very popular in Swiss watchmaking during the 1920s, 1930s, and 1940s.