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Lot Essay
Accompanied by Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch with "Bracelet made of gold chips of various colours and 12 pearls" in 1961 and its subsequent sale on 24 April 1961.
It was designed by the famous Geneva jeweller Gilbert Albert who was awarded for this creation called "pépites avec perles" or "(gold) nuggets with pearls" the "Prix de la Ville de Genève de la Montre et de la Joaillerie" in the category "Montre dame bijou, sans pierres" on 9 September 1960.
Gilbert Albert started to work for Patek Philippe in 1955 at the age of 24. During his career with the company he designed the famous asymmetrical watches of the "Ricochet" collection (see Patek Philippe Wristwatches by M. Huber & A. Banbery, pp. 78, 163, 187 and 188). Mr. Albert took his inspiration from his passion for modern art, notably works by Brancusi and Mondrian. In 1962, he founded his own firm at rue de la Corraterie in Geneva where one of his workshops is located still today.
Princess Windisch-Graetz was a lady with exceptional taste and very "avant-garde" before her time. She used to buy most of her clothes in Paris and was one of Hungary's most fashionable women.
The Princess and her husband, Vinzenz Windisch-Graetz, lived in several metropoles such as Amsterdam, Singapore, New Delhi, Cairo, Rome and Vienna. A multi-lingual globetrotter, she visited over 30 countries and started to paint at the age of 50.
Her sense for beauty and elegance is perfectly reflected in the highly unusual design of the present watch, most probably a unique piece.
We are indebted to Mr. Roman Buchi of Gilbert Albert SA, Geneva, for the identification of Mr. Gilbert Albert as the designer of the present watch and for kindly providing copies of the original drawing and the award.
It was designed by the famous Geneva jeweller Gilbert Albert who was awarded for this creation called "pépites avec perles" or "(gold) nuggets with pearls" the "Prix de la Ville de Genève de la Montre et de la Joaillerie" in the category "Montre dame bijou, sans pierres" on 9 September 1960.
Gilbert Albert started to work for Patek Philippe in 1955 at the age of 24. During his career with the company he designed the famous asymmetrical watches of the "Ricochet" collection (see Patek Philippe Wristwatches by M. Huber & A. Banbery, pp. 78, 163, 187 and 188). Mr. Albert took his inspiration from his passion for modern art, notably works by Brancusi and Mondrian. In 1962, he founded his own firm at rue de la Corraterie in Geneva where one of his workshops is located still today.
Princess Windisch-Graetz was a lady with exceptional taste and very "avant-garde" before her time. She used to buy most of her clothes in Paris and was one of Hungary's most fashionable women.
The Princess and her husband, Vinzenz Windisch-Graetz, lived in several metropoles such as Amsterdam, Singapore, New Delhi, Cairo, Rome and Vienna. A multi-lingual globetrotter, she visited over 30 countries and started to paint at the age of 50.
Her sense for beauty and elegance is perfectly reflected in the highly unusual design of the present watch, most probably a unique piece.
We are indebted to Mr. Roman Buchi of Gilbert Albert SA, Geneva, for the identification of Mr. Gilbert Albert as the designer of the present watch and for kindly providing copies of the original drawing and the award.