Auction - Patek Philippe Grand Complication
The Stephen S. Palmer Patek Philippe Grand Complication no. 97912 (estimate: $1,000,000 - 1,500,000) is regarded as History changing Grand Complication. It is an 18K pink gold openface minute repeating perpetual calendar split-seconds chronograph clockwatch with grande and petite sonnerie and moon phases, manufactured in 1898. It was acquired by Stephen S. Palmer, a prominent american industrialist and a generous benefactor, in 1900. The timepiece will be unveiled in Christie's Rockefeller Center saleroom marking an unprecedented occasion for collectors of the world's finest timepieces.
Until the discovery of this Stephen S. Palmer Patek Philippe Grand Complication, it was widely accepted that Patek Philippe did not make its first Grand Complication until 1910 and that the second ever made was reserved before World War I for James W. Packard in 1916. The watch was purchased in October 1900 for CHF 6'500. This Grand Complication is a important addition to scholarship surrounding Patek Philippe and Grand Complications in general. It is the only example known to have been cased in pink gold whereas all following pieces were cased in yellow gold according to the style of the early 20th century.
Mr. Palmer, who was an passionate connoisseur of watches, was already a distinguished client of Patek Philippe when he traveled to the firm's Geneva factory in October 1990. The Grand Complication remained in a vault in Palmer's home, virtually untouched and is accompanied by original invoice and presentation box. It anticipates all other Grand Complications by a decade, standing as the most complete and crispest example of all Grand Complications known today.
Aurel Bacs, International Head of Watches, commented: "The Stephen S. Palmer Patek Philippe Grand Complication No. 97912 is the undisputed highlight of the spring 2013 worldwide watches auction season. Christie's New York June sale will open a new chapter into the world of horology, presenting the world's earliest, and most historically significant example of a Patek Philippe Grand Complication. Following the great success we saw at Christie's New York this past December with the collection of Gordon Bethune, we are very proud to be entrusted to execute yet another exceptional auction, marking June 11 as treat for scholars, historians, and collectors with a passion for watches of uncompromised quality."
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In stock
[Rating:(5 / 5 stars)]
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