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Lot Essay
This lot includes three historically important items from the first 100 years of Patek Philippe. The exceptionally rare patent, presented here for the first time since its discovery in the United States, is the actual document that allowed Patek Philippe to claim the patent for the famous Chronometro Gondolo calibre made for retailer Gondolo & Labouriau. In fact, the patent date of 13 January 1891 is prominently engraved on the majority of these movements made in the late 19th and early 20th century. In the application for the patent, the following text was submitted to the US government:
Be it known that I, Adrien Philippe, a citizen of the Republic of France, residing in Geneva, Switzerland, have invented a new and original Design for Watch-Bridges for Watch-Movements, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact specification, reference being made to the accompanying drawing in which my said design is illustrated on an enlarged scale. The leading feature of this design is the ornamental shape of the plate G and bridge B in connection with the other bridges of the watch-movement.
This lot is further accompanied by a commemorative coin honoring the establishment of the joint stock company 'Société Anonyme Ancienne Manufacture D'Horlogerie Patek, Philippe, & Co.' Established with 1.6M Swiss Francs of capital, the newly organized company appointed five of the seven shareholders to the board of directors. The board of directors included: Antoine Bernassy-Philippe (son-in-law of Adrien Philippe), Emile Philippe (youngest son of Adrien Philippe), Antoine Conty, Jules Perrier, and American distributor, Alfred G. Stein. Each of these five names is found on the coin. This was the first of several commemorative coins struck by Patek Philippe to honor company milestones and was inspired by the medals won by the company at 19th century World's Fairs.
The last item in this lot is a booklet sharing the story of the first 100 years of the manufacture's history including portraits of the founders, images of the Henry Graves Supercomplication and James Ward Packard's desk clock, as well as images of watches available for sale in 1939 including the references 1450 and 130 with sector dial.
Be it known that I, Adrien Philippe, a citizen of the Republic of France, residing in Geneva, Switzerland, have invented a new and original Design for Watch-Bridges for Watch-Movements, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact specification, reference being made to the accompanying drawing in which my said design is illustrated on an enlarged scale. The leading feature of this design is the ornamental shape of the plate G and bridge B in connection with the other bridges of the watch-movement.
This lot is further accompanied by a commemorative coin honoring the establishment of the joint stock company 'Société Anonyme Ancienne Manufacture D'Horlogerie Patek, Philippe, & Co.' Established with 1.6M Swiss Francs of capital, the newly organized company appointed five of the seven shareholders to the board of directors. The board of directors included: Antoine Bernassy-Philippe (son-in-law of Adrien Philippe), Emile Philippe (youngest son of Adrien Philippe), Antoine Conty, Jules Perrier, and American distributor, Alfred G. Stein. Each of these five names is found on the coin. This was the first of several commemorative coins struck by Patek Philippe to honor company milestones and was inspired by the medals won by the company at 19th century World's Fairs.
The last item in this lot is a booklet sharing the story of the first 100 years of the manufacture's history including portraits of the founders, images of the Henry Graves Supercomplication and James Ward Packard's desk clock, as well as images of watches available for sale in 1939 including the references 1450 and 130 with sector dial.