Throwback Thursday With An Officer And A Gentleman From Patek Philippe

There is nothing quite like owning, and wearing, a watch that was made nearly a century ago. In particular, when this watch is from Patek Philippe. In the early 1920s, the brand has just started the production of wrist chronographs, and this specific watch from 1924 is a perfect example of their lasting beauty. It was part of a production run of just 27 pieces, all equipped with a single-button chronograph movement. Sixteen of them were fitted with a so-called officers-case with double hinges.

Inside the case, there is a movement based on an ebauche made by Victorin Piguet. At the time, it was customary that such ebauches were supplied to leading brands by specialized companies. Victorin Piguet was among the great when it came to complications. They also delivered the ebauches for the famed Graves and Packard Grand Complication pocket watches. The chronograph in this Patek Philippe is operated by a single button integrated into the crown. At two o’clock, there is a slide that can block the chronograph function from being used. This allows the owner to prevent starting or to stop it without wanting so.

Interestingly, this very early Patek Philippe chronograph already featured a column-wheel cover, which has ever since becoming a hallmark of the brand. While the watch has only a diameter of 34mm, it wears slightly larger, thanks to the silver dial with bold Breguet numerals. This gives the watch also a lot of its character. This is further amplified by the way this particular watch has aged, showing just some discoloration around the edges of the dial but further with a minimum of wear. This is what makes this already extremely rare Patek Philippe even more precious. Phillips sold this particular watch in 2018 for CHF 492,500, yet as the appreciation for earlier pieces is also on the rise, one can expect that it would sell for even more today.