Signed Patek Philippe & Co. à Genève, no. 7'561, manufactured in 1853

Made in 1853 the present timepiece is a rare and early example of a Patek Philippe watch in hunter case with enamel decoration to both sides as opposed to the more common openface variant. The front depicts a masterfully painted “astronomy” scene of two cupids holding a celestial globe, one gazing through a telescope observing the stars, the back is centred by a diamond and pearl-set hexagonal star, both sides on translucent royal blue guilloché background. Meticulously painted by hand these miniature scenes are works of art in their own right and can be considered as unique.

The “astronomy” scene on the present watch was most likely inspired by a nearly identical Meissen porcelain statue “Allegory of Astronomy”.

Other examples of Patek Philippe early hunter case watches with enamel covers are illustrated in Patek Philippe Watches, Volume I, Patek Philippe Museum, 2013, Enamelled and Engraved Watches 1842 – 1869, pp. 83-99.