Patek Philippe 9508

Ref. 9508A very rare yellow gold and enamel lighter made for the Omani market

Manufacturer: Patek Philippe Year: Circa 1975 Reference No: 9508 Case No: A325 Material: 18k yellow gold and translucent green enamel Dimensions: 40mm Width x 58mm Length Signed: Case signedIt is surprising to find a lighter bearing the name of one of the most prestigious watch brands, and something the brand did not openly offer to the market, but in the 1970s Patek produced a limited number of 18K gold lighters to compliment the Ellipse range of watches, Literature of the period advertises each lighter as being individually numbered and unique, made entirely by hand out of 18k gold including both the case and mechanism. Scholarships shows that approximately 400 lighters were made (all consecutively and individually numbered) engraved with various motifs. A very few were also made in blue, red and green enamel like the present example. Amongst these enamel examples a certain number were commissioned by the Sultan of Oman, His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said al Said and bearing the “Khanjar” - Oman’s national emblem, composed of a dagger in sheath superimposed upon two crossed swords on the cap. The present lighter was made on commission for the Sultan of Oman and most probably presented as gifts to foreign dignitaries, closest officials and loyal staff. Of the very view pieces that have appeared on the market, only a handful of them were examples with an enamel décor and Khanjar and are a true trophy for any Patek Collector