DESCRIPTION:
EPW - Patek Philippe, Genève, 51mm, made for Tiffany & Co, New York, tandem-winding two-train jumping-fifth-second split-seconds chronograph with 30-minute register and rare full return feature inclusive of flying seconds hand, 14K OF original American case with hinged glazed observation cuvette, SW-SS, WED with sunken register and fifth-seconds dial, fully capped lever escapement, at least 24J, fausses-côtes NI damascene, s#97204, together with Extract from the Archives documenting sale of the mvt only on July 31st, 1893. The plates bear Swiss patent 5310, awarded to William-Alfred Piguet on Dec 31, 1892, for his "Chronographe sans engrenage pour montre quart ou cinquième de seconde dite foudroyante" [Gearless chronograph mechanism for so called jumping quarter- or fifth-second watch]. The title is suggestive rather than literal, referring to the apparent absence of standard chronograph transfer gears. Gross weight of assembled watch 70.2 dwt (109.1 g).
CONDITION:
Mvt: Running, needs OH, excellent mvt condition overall; chronograph stops and starts, with some hang-ups in the jumping mechanism, but will continue operation with pressure applied to the independent train; return and split work well; when setting, the stem may resist being pushed back in; dial has pitchfork hls originating near 10 at edge and going to center; hands fine, dullness, some bends, sweep hands bent and one short; case shows light wear, some MFS, no dents, very slight band dings, knurled detail reduced at highlights; bow tight, crown shows light wear and brass highlights; good glass crystal in back, good but earlier flat-domed bull's-eye glass crystal in front.
ESTIMATE:
$6000
-
$9000
PRICE SOLD:
$7600
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