Spectacular Wrist Watch we have Offered, Platinum Patek Philippe Man's Diamond Dial "So Called Top Hat" Wrist Watch with Original Box & Archive Papers
Platinum Patek Philippe Top Hat Wrist Watch with Diamond Dial Orig Box & Archives SOLD
VC2-098-SOLD$21,500.00
Product Details
Here it is: The most Spectacular Wrist Watch we have Offered, Platinum Patek Philippe Man's Diamond Dial "So Called Top Hat" Wrist Watch with Original Box & Archive Papers
Patek Philippe; Man's; CA1949/1950
STYLE: The length lug-to-lug is 36 mm, width 25 mm without a crown and the band thickness 10 mm.
CASE: The white platinum No. 972049, Ref 1450 case features a rectangular shape, hidden/hooded lugs, snap back and French hallmarked Patek Philippe.
BAND: The band is alligator.
DIAL: This silver/diamonds dial displays diamond markers, baton hands and subsidiary seconds.
MOVT: This manual 18-jewel movement with lever escapement is stem set and signed.
CONDITIONS:
C 2 (The Case is in Perfect Condition)
D 2-28 (The Dial is in Perfect Condition - Very well reprinted)
M 2 (The Movement is in Perfect Condition)
R 9-1/2 (Rarity on a scale of #1 being very common to #10 being extremely rare)
Experts Opinion: Patek Philippe, Reference# 1450, Top Hat, No. 972049, made in 1949, sold June 20, 1950 to the agent in Paris. This is a very fine and rare, possibly unique, rectangular platinum wristwatch with hooded lugs! Accompanied by the Extract from the Archives.
Additional research information:
Case: Two-part, brushed, hooded lugs.
Dial: Matte silver with applied eight round and three baguette brilliant cut diamonds indexes, subsidiary seconds, platinum (can be white gold) feuille hands.
Movt: Cal. 9"-90, rhodium-plated, fausses cotes decoration, 18-jewels, straight-line lever escapement.
Signed: Movement and dial, the case with French platinum mark and Geneva import mark.
Dim. 25X38 mm
The watch is a rare example of Ref. 1450, the so-called Top Hat, with the case made in Paris by Patek Philippe's retailer. The case, according to Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives was made by the buyer. The company's policy does not allow to list the name of the buyer. However, we know that in France, there was only one Patek Philippe's retailer, Guillermin, who was trusted enough to make cases to Patek Philippe's specifications.
During the 1999 exhibition and sale The Art of Patek Philippe, the company's director, referring to watch No. 853667 retailed by Guillermin with the case made in Paris, explained that during the years following the WWII, France, to protect French craftsmen, introduced a temporary customs regulation forbidding the import or imposing huge duties on watch cases made of precious metals. During that period, French agent received only watch movements while cases were produced in Paris according to Patek Philippe specifications. This is a rare example of Ref. 1450 made in such cooperation.
What is even more unusual is the fact that the case also bears Geneva's import mark suggesting that it might have been an experimental example which the company decided to bring back.