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Lot Essay
With Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch with enamel dial and guilloché case back in 1855 and its subsequent sale on 24 March 1856.
This watch is an exceedingly rare example of one of Patek Philippe's early keyless watches featuring a quarter repeating mechanism. Made in 1855, this example is believed to be one of the firm's earliest quarter repeating watch known to exist today. It has never been offered in public before and is preserved in remarkably good and original overall condition. Another notable fact is the complete absence of Patek Philippe's signature normally found on the cuvette of the firm's early timepieces. The cuvette of the present watch however bears the signature Tiede, celebrated chronometer and watchmaker working in Berlin, who presumably ordered it from Patek Philippe either for one of his clients and on condition to omit any signatures but use exclusively his or possibly for himself, in either case paying tribute to the work of Patek Philippe by a fellow watchmaker.
Christian Friedrich Tiede (1794-1877) was renowned for the outstanding quality and precision of his chronometers and astronomical clocks.
In 1828, the famous explorer Alexander von Humbold ordered a chronometer for the Berlin Observatory from him, further contributing to his reputation. In 1838, Tiede was appointed chronometer and watchmaker to his Majesty the King of Prussia and to the Academy of Sciences in Berlin. During his lifetime he was awarded numerous medals for his work and for his services. He made about 350 marine chronometers and fine clocks, His astronomical clocks were used worldwide.
Tiede passed away in 1877 and was succeeded by his eldest son Bernhard Theodor Friedrich Tiede.
This watch is an exceedingly rare example of one of Patek Philippe's early keyless watches featuring a quarter repeating mechanism. Made in 1855, this example is believed to be one of the firm's earliest quarter repeating watch known to exist today. It has never been offered in public before and is preserved in remarkably good and original overall condition. Another notable fact is the complete absence of Patek Philippe's signature normally found on the cuvette of the firm's early timepieces. The cuvette of the present watch however bears the signature Tiede, celebrated chronometer and watchmaker working in Berlin, who presumably ordered it from Patek Philippe either for one of his clients and on condition to omit any signatures but use exclusively his or possibly for himself, in either case paying tribute to the work of Patek Philippe by a fellow watchmaker.
Christian Friedrich Tiede (1794-1877) was renowned for the outstanding quality and precision of his chronometers and astronomical clocks.
In 1828, the famous explorer Alexander von Humbold ordered a chronometer for the Berlin Observatory from him, further contributing to his reputation. In 1838, Tiede was appointed chronometer and watchmaker to his Majesty the King of Prussia and to the Academy of Sciences in Berlin. During his lifetime he was awarded numerous medals for his work and for his services. He made about 350 marine chronometers and fine clocks, His astronomical clocks were used worldwide.
Tiede passed away in 1877 and was succeeded by his eldest son Bernhard Theodor Friedrich Tiede.