Key Features
A spectacular PATEK PHILIPPE vintage conversion watch with original enamel dial and gold hands; which, acording to the Patek Philippe serial number charts, dates from 1880 – 1885. The Visitor Watch, or ‘guest watch’ concept involves watches with a horizontal dial arrangement – Tiffany & Co. originally formulated this concept. When a male guest would come to visit a lady, he would take off his watch and place it on the side table; with this horizontal design it shows off the watch – and the time – very well.
This watch has an early version of the ‘Gondolo’ in-house caliber, a very recognisable catalogue movement. The famous pocket watches series ‘Chronometro Gondolo’ was born from this movement.
Previously, the movement was housed in a pocket watch, but the case was long ago melted down for gold scrap. Thankfully, this valuable movement was treated with respect and was preserved along with the entire enamel dial. As part of the Subscription Watch Project, we restore high-class antique movements, and create new wristwatch cases for them, working to revive old forgotten vintage devices that are worthy of being shown off on the wrist for all to admire the quality of work. This watch is memorable, a piece of the history with a twist, that tells us something interesting about the history of the world of watchmaking.
About Patek Phillipe
Patek Philippe SA is a Swiss luxury watch and clock manufacturer, founded in Geneva in 1839 by the businessman and aristocrat Antoine Norbert count de Patek and the watchmaker Francois Czapek.
They are one of the oldest watch manufacturers in the world with an uninterrupted watchmaking history since their foundation, and are widely considered to be one of the most prestigious watch manufacturers in the world. Over the years, notable figures including Queen Victoria, Queen Elizabeth II, Marie Curie, Albert Einstein, John F. Kennedy, Nelson Mandela, Pablo Picasso all wore Patek Philippe timepieces.
Since the 2000’s, Patek Philippe timepieces have repeatedly fetched high prices in auctions worldwide. On 8 November 2001 the Patek Philippe Museum opens in Geneva, documenting the development of the watchmaking art from the 16th Century to the present day by numerous valuable exhibits. As of 2018, among the world’s top ten most expensive watches ever sold at auctions, seven are Patek Philippe watches. Currently, the company is an active member of the Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry FH.
Servicing and Guarantee
This timepiece has been serviced with full disassembly. There is a 12-month guarantee, subject to the usage and care guidelines. The watch comes with a new high-quality genuine brown leather wrist strap with hypoallergenic lining.
Overview
Body: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (10/10 like new)
Watch face: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (10/10 like new)
Mechanism: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (8/10 good)
Accuracy: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (9/10 near perfect)
Case and Strap
- New, custom-made classical style circular case.
- Stainless steel.
- Slightly front convex mineral crystal.
- Glazed caseback with mineral crystal.
- Gold plated original antique crown.
Dimensions:
- Width w/o crown 48 mm.
- Width w/crown 55 mm.
- Lug to lug 57 mm.
Dial and Hands
- Original, white enamel dial.
- French style Roman numerals.
- Gold-tone Arabic numeral 5-minute markings.
- “Patek Philippe & Co Geneve” signature.
- Delicate seconds subdial at 6 position with gold-tone numerals.
- Gold ‘Louis XIV’ style carved hour and minute hands.
- Gold small seconds hand with tail.
Movement
- Swiss-made movement.
- Early Gondolo calibre.
- 17 jewels.
- Wolf’s teeth gears.
- Balance with gold adjustment screws.
- Bimetallic thermocompensation with Breguet hairspring.
- Pallet fork with ‘Moustache’type counterweight with mirror chamfers.
- Gilt plates and bridges.
- Dark blue screws.
Servicing and Guarantee
- Fully serviced with disassembly in our Bristol shop.
- Mechanics in full working order.
- New, genuine brown leather strap.
- 12-month warranty.
- Guarantee Terms and Conditions.
Links and Resources:
Patek Philippe – Tiffany & Co Visitor Watch.
Patek Philippe Visitor Watch 1909-1910.
Patek Phillipe Pocket Watch – Similar Age and Type, 1870.
Patek Philippe Serial Number Identification Charts.
Catalogue Description of the Gondolo Caliber.
