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Lot Essay
With Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present chronograph watch in 1879 and its subsequent sale on 27 January 1879. Furthermore delivered with the original fitted presentation box with two spaces for the tubes containing spare ink and oil.
Fresh to the market, this inking chronograph is distinguished by its very good, original overall condition and the presence of the original fitted presentation box.
Patek Philippe made approximately 98 of such inking chronographs in two series, the first from 1878 to 1880 and the second from 1891 to 1892 (see Patek Philippe Museum - Patek Philippe Watches Volume I, p. 290, Inking Chronograph).
To the best of our knowledge, this inking chronograph is part of a small series of only six of this rare instrument having appeared in public to date.
Nicolas Mathieu Rieussec, watchmaker to King Louis Philippe of France, was born in Toulouse in 1781 and invented the inking chronograph in 1821. The inking chronograph was then improved and perfected by Frederick Louis Fatton, one of Breguet's most gifted workmen.
The inking chronograph operates by means of a hand composed of two parts. The lower part is fitted with an ink bowl and the upper part with a thin needle which, when activated, compresses the lower part to release a trace of ink on the dial to give a visual read-out of the elapsed time.
It is interesting to note that an identical inking chronograph with the succeeding number 58'237 was sold in this saleroom on 12 November 2012, lot 65, CHF13,750.
Fresh to the market, this inking chronograph is distinguished by its very good, original overall condition and the presence of the original fitted presentation box.
Patek Philippe made approximately 98 of such inking chronographs in two series, the first from 1878 to 1880 and the second from 1891 to 1892 (see Patek Philippe Museum - Patek Philippe Watches Volume I, p. 290, Inking Chronograph).
To the best of our knowledge, this inking chronograph is part of a small series of only six of this rare instrument having appeared in public to date.
Nicolas Mathieu Rieussec, watchmaker to King Louis Philippe of France, was born in Toulouse in 1781 and invented the inking chronograph in 1821. The inking chronograph was then improved and perfected by Frederick Louis Fatton, one of Breguet's most gifted workmen.
The inking chronograph operates by means of a hand composed of two parts. The lower part is fitted with an ink bowl and the upper part with a thin needle which, when activated, compresses the lower part to release a trace of ink on the dial to give a visual read-out of the elapsed time.
It is interesting to note that an identical inking chronograph with the succeeding number 58'237 was sold in this saleroom on 12 November 2012, lot 65, CHF13,750.