Unique Swiss gold lever with enamel painted scene Circa 1969

Gold enamel lever watch by Patek Philippe & Co.
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A unique and very fine Swiss gold open faced keyless lever watch with a polychrome enamel painted scene by Suzanne Rohr, circa 1969. This watch features a damascened movement, stamped twice with the Seal of Geneva, lever escapement, 18 jewels, and compensation balance, and is signed and numbered by Patek Philippe & Co., Genève, with the serial number 893323. The silvered dial has applied gold pointed faceted baton indexes, gold dauphine hands, an outer pearled minute ring, and subsidiary seconds, and is signed by Patek Philippe, Genève. The 18k gold case has rounded bezels, and the back showcases a polychrome enamel painted scene by Suzanne Rohr after Pierre Louis de la Rive, signed and detailed S. Rohr 1970 Pierre Louis De la Rive. The case back is also signed and numbered by Patek Philippe & Co., Genève, with the serial number 432832.
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Accompanied by an extract from the archives, which confirms the production of the present watch in 1969 and its sale on March 22, 1974. The extract also confirms the painting on the case back.
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Diameter: 47 mm
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Signed: Patek Philippe Genève
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The tradition of decorating watch cases with finely painted enamel scenes has a long and rich history. Miniature painting was introduced to Geneva in the 17th century by French Huguenots, establishing the city’s reputation as a centre of artistic excellence. Patek Philippe continued this tradition in the 20th century by offering watches decorated with finely executed enamel miniatures. Suzanne Rohr (b.1939) is recognised as one of the finest miniature enamelists in the world. Since the 1960s, Rohr has been creating spectacular enamel panels for Patek Philippe, with just one to three panels produced each year due to the painstakingly detailed nature of her work. The present watch’s panel is a relatively early example by Rohr and depicts the “View over the Mont Blanc from Salanches” after a painting by Pierre Louis De la Rive executed in 1814.
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The movement is running. The dial is in good overall condition, with slight wear to the 35 and 50-second baton markers in the subsidiary second dial. There are some specks of dirt on the dial, and tarnishing is visible on the numerals and hands. The case, gold band, and bow have been polished, but there is rubbing to the hallmark on the band at the right side of the pendant. The enamel panel is in good condition.