Patek Philippe An exceptional and highly important yellow gold open face one-minute tourbillon “Extra” pocket chronometer, with James C. Pellaton tourbillon carriage, recipient of the first class prize at the Geneva 1929 Observatory timing competition, and Honorable mention in 1931
47.5mm diameter
With the advent of pocket and deck chronometers following Britain’s Longitude Act of 1714, which set forth specifications and a monetary reward for anyone that executed a practical, reliable and precise instrument to determine a ship’s longitude at sea, observatory testing has become an integral part of the horological world. The challenge was ultimately met by John Harrison (1693-1776) whose H4 “sea watch” became the standard and provided an accurate method for determining longitude, allowing for safer seafaring.
Mechanical timepieces, in particular chronometers, are highly accurate and the stringent observatory testing helps manufacturers maintain the highest possible standards. By the 19th century, observatories, such as the Swiss Observatories in Neuchatel and Geneva, and the Kew Observatory in the UK, were holding “time contests” to scientifically judge these precision timepieces. Through the Bulletin de marche, rating certificates were awarded based on overall performance and it is within this milieu that brands such as Patek Philippe entered watches for competition. Today the Swiss Contr?le Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres, formed in 1973, tests movement for 15 days in five positions and three different temperatures and issues a certificate if the movement meets their exacting standards.
The present watch from 1929 was twice at the Geneva Observatory winning the first class prize in 1929, and an honorable mention again in 1931. In order to win first class, the watch had to be of exceptional quality and while from the outside the pocket watch looks classic and sublime, the movement is a mechanical marvel with a one-minute tourbillon carriage with Guillaume balance and Breguet balance spring. Very few Patek Philippe watches carry the “Extra” designation and it would be for such a “timing contest” that the manufacturer would use such movements, usually made by LeCoultre & Cie and Victorin Piguet & Cie. Patek Philippe began tourbillon production in the early 1860s with the first known, number 25’298, manufactured in 1864.
Patek Philippe is believed to have made approximately 100 tourbillon regulator watches like the present example. Because of their importance, these watches were typically kept by the firm and therefore it is a rare occasion when one of these exceptional watches is made available to the public. Movement number 198’312 carries a James C. Pellaton tourbillon carriage. Consider the master Swiss tourbillion maker of the 20th-century, he was director of the LeLocle watchmaking school and appreciated for both his horological knowledge and innovative spirit. A second name associated with this extraordinary timepiece is Fran?ois Modoux, the master adjuster, who was responsible for preparing the watch for competition.
In an era where vintage wristwatches are king, it is difficult to express the importance of an exceptional timepieces like this tourbillion regulator watch. While the outside of the watch is simple and plain, the movement is a technical marvel that won both a first class prize and honorable mention at the all-important timing competitions. These prized watches were so important to the maker they rarely sold them following the tests, however a very few have come to the market and they are always highly sought after due to their extraordinary position in the history of horology. This is a very rare opportunity to own such an important watch.