Patek Philippe

Patek Philippe & Co.

Dial: white enamel Calibre: two-train manual winding lever movement, jewelled Movement number: 97’916 Case: 18k pink gold, hinged case back and cuvette, crown button activated repeater Case number: 222’503 Size: 48.5 mm diameter Signed: case, dial and movement Box: no Papers: no Accessories: Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming date of manufacture in 1898 and its subsequent sale on 17 October 1899The present pocket watch houses one of the most revered complications in watchmaking: the minute repeater. With the push of a button, the watch will delicately chime out the time using internal hammers, making for a truly impressive display. What makes this watch even more special is the fact that it does not employ the more common slide activated repeating system, where a moving slide both charges and then triggers the minute repeater, but instead uses the more lavish two-train system, where the repeater is wound through the crown, in the opposite direction to the mainspring. As the repeater is no longer wound right before activation, it can be triggered by the simple push of a button, neatly concealed in the crown. This form of repeater was eventually phased out by Patek Philippe in 1912 due to its more intricate construction, making these repeaters an extinct yet decadent breed of Patek Philippe high complication.