Unique Swiss gold, platinum and enamel lever watch Circa 1916
- Kenmerk
- SA2889
- Diameter
- 43 mm
- Estimate
- € 12.500 - 25.000
- Price sold
- € 29.600
Gold and platinum watch with enamel portrait of General Lafayette
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A probably unique Swiss 18 carat yellow gold, platinum and enamel open faced octagonal lever pocket watch with zodiac dial and portrait of lafayette, circa 1916. Sold in 1919. Circular nickel lever movement, 18 jewels, bimetallic balance.
Ivory-white enamel dial attributed to A. Dufaux, the hours represented by the 12 signs of the zodiac, pierced hands. Octagonal form case, the bezels heightened by opaque ivory enamel, stepped edges in opaque blue enamel, the back centred by a platinum-framed cartouche with a polychrome enamel portrait of General Lafayette beside his horse, signed LA, a guilloché background overlaid with translucent blue enamel. Dial, case and movement signed. Accompanied by an Extract from the Archives.
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Diameter 43 mm
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Signed: Patek, Philippe & Cie Geneva-Switzerland
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It is exceedingly rare to encounter Patek Philippe pocket watches in non-circular format. Indeed, students of the subject typically find unusual shapes in smaller-sized pendant watches. Extensive research into the canon of Patek Philippe’s production reveals that at most, only eight such watches have appeared.
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While the shape alone of this piece is unusual, the watch further boasts two additional characteristics not held by any other known Patek Philippe watches, namely a chapter ring denoted by the signs of the zodiac and a portrait of General Lafayette. In the realm of rare decorative Patek Philippe watches, these three elements combine to present a piece which the importance cannot be overstated.
–
In both French and American history, Lafayette stands out as a remarkable figure.
The Marquis de LaFayette (September 6th, 1757 – May 20th, 1834) was born in central France and began his illustrious military career at the age of 13. Taken with the belief in American independence, LaFayette travelled to America of his own accord in 1777 and was soon commissioned as a Major General to assist the colonial armies. LaFayette served George Washington and fought in several battles from 1777-1778, including Valley Forge and Barren Hill. While he also served during the French Revolution and the July Revolution, LaFayette continued to travel between France and America over his lifetime.
–
A probably unique Swiss 18 carat yellow gold, platinum and enamel open faced octagonal lever pocket watch with zodiac dial and portrait of lafayette, circa 1916. Sold in 1919. Circular nickel lever movement, 18 jewels, bimetallic balance.
Ivory-white enamel dial attributed to A. Dufaux, the hours represented by the 12 signs of the zodiac, pierced hands. Octagonal form case, the bezels heightened by opaque ivory enamel, stepped edges in opaque blue enamel, the back centred by a platinum-framed cartouche with a polychrome enamel portrait of General Lafayette beside his horse, signed LA, a guilloché background overlaid with translucent blue enamel. Dial, case and movement signed. Accompanied by an Extract from the Archives.
–
Diameter 43 mm
–
Signed: Patek, Philippe & Cie Geneva-Switzerland
–
It is exceedingly rare to encounter Patek Philippe pocket watches in non-circular format. Indeed, students of the subject typically find unusual shapes in smaller-sized pendant watches. Extensive research into the canon of Patek Philippe’s production reveals that at most, only eight such watches have appeared.
–
While the shape alone of this piece is unusual, the watch further boasts two additional characteristics not held by any other known Patek Philippe watches, namely a chapter ring denoted by the signs of the zodiac and a portrait of General Lafayette. In the realm of rare decorative Patek Philippe watches, these three elements combine to present a piece which the importance cannot be overstated.
–
In both French and American history, Lafayette stands out as a remarkable figure.
The Marquis de LaFayette (September 6th, 1757 – May 20th, 1834) was born in central France and began his illustrious military career at the age of 13. Taken with the belief in American independence, LaFayette travelled to America of his own accord in 1777 and was soon commissioned as a Major General to assist the colonial armies. LaFayette served George Washington and fought in several battles from 1777-1778, including Valley Forge and Barren Hill. While he also served during the French Revolution and the July Revolution, LaFayette continued to travel between France and America over his lifetime.
Signed: Patek, Philippe & Cie Geneva-Switzerland
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