149,250 CHF
“The Death of Poniatowski” Patek i Czapek w Genewie, No. 545, made in 1842, sold on October 22, 1842. Exceptionally fine, large, 18K gold, hunting-cased, keyless quarter-repeating watch with ruby duplex escapement and Audemars winding and setting system. Accompanied by Extract from the Archives. Silver, matte, radial champlevé Roman numerals, outer minute divisions, center engraved with Polish coat of arms. Notes The workmanship of the watch, finished by Franciszek Czapek himself, is exquisite. Czapek jeweled both going and repeating trains, installed a ruby duplex escapement and mounted a double compensating curb. The ebauche was fit with Audemars' keyless winding and setting mechanism, a demonstration of Antoine Patek's bold idea of transforming key-wound watches into keyless watches. This watch was made during the third year of the company's existence, at which time they made approximately 200 watches per year. Audemars keyless winding and setting system Although keyless winding has a long history, it was only between 1820 and 1844 that a system allowing for stem winding and setting was developed. The key figures were Breguet, Ingold, Audemars, and later Adrien Philippe. In 1838 Hector Audemars, a son of Louis, became known for his keyless winding/setting system. Audemars supplied it to Patek, Bautte, Jurgensen and others. According to Martin Huber and Alan Banbery in their book “Patek Philippe Genève”, Audemars made only 41 such systems for Patek, of which only 6
Auctioneer:
Antiquorum
Date:
2004-11-14
