46 Patek Philippe Extremely Well Preserved, Unrestored and Elegant, Rectangular-shape Wristwatch, in Gold, N° 10, With Subsidiary Seconds and Radium Arabic Numbers

Estimate: € 10,000 –⁠ 20,000

Sold € 14,300

Model: Rectangular Shape
Reference: N° 10
Case Material: Yellow Gold
Bracelet Material: Leather Strap
Year: 1928
Movement: Manual
Caliber: 10“'
Case N°: 292672
Movement N°: 819 900
Dimensions: 26 × 38 mm
Signed: Dial, movement and case
Accessories: Extract from the Archives

In the ’20s of the 1900s, watches had increasingly found a place on the wrists of many businessmen. Yet, even before the Great Depression of the 1929 market, many watchmaking brands suffered for the lack of economic availability of their customers by decreasing the number of their sales. Patek Philippe was not immune to this crisis but still managed to maintain its dominant status thanks to its ability to open new markets, spreading mainly on South American soil, and by remaining anchored to a small number of its very wealthy loyal customers. Obviously, the main need was to continue producing objects that were, besides efficient and with an intriguing design, also immediately accessible. The answer was ready: large, often rectangular cases (a form in which Patek exceeded in quality and inventiveness) with large dials decorated with large Arabic numbers. The lot offered here perfectly reflects these features but stands out against similar specimens for its incredible conservation. The large 26 × 38 mm case, made of 18k yellow gold, is in astonishing condition, never restored during the years with a beautiful worked winding crown at 3 o’clock. The dial, predating the modern concept of design, is the perfect combination of form and functionality with its beautiful silvered color that has aged magnificently letting an ocher tropicalization spread all over the surface and the large Arabic numbers for easier reading of the time with luminous material also never restored. At 6 o’clock the subsidiary dial of seconds and at 12 the long signature Patek Philippe & Co Geneva, Switzerland.