
Pocket Watches · Pocket watch
Patek Philippe 18k Gold Pocket Watch, 1860
- Maker / attribution
- Patek Philippe (maker)
- Date
- 1860
- Historical period
- Industrial Revolution (1850 – 1900)
- Country of origin
- Switzerland
- Object type
- Pocket watch
- Materials / technique
- gold
- Dealer
- WatchMuseum.org shop
- Stock no.
- Product 3816
- Credit line
- Dealer listing, WatchMuseum.org shop (product 3816)
- Catalogue title (original)
- Patek Philippe 18k Gold Pocket Watch (English)
View the source record (dealer listing) ↗ (opens another website in a new tab)Suggest a correction
Record summary
Catalogued by WatchMuseum.org shop (stock number Product 3816), this is a pocket watch by Patek Philippe, made in Switzerland, dated 1860. The Atlas places it in the Industrial Revolution period (1850 – 1900) of its Pocket Watches collection. Materials and techniques recorded by the source: gold. The record is illustrated with 6 photographs.
Assembled from the source record's structured fields. Dates and attributions are given as the source states them; where a field is missing the Atlas leaves it blank rather than estimating.
Catalogue description
Dealer description — WatchMuseum.org shop
The Patek Philippe 18k Gold Pocket Watch from 1860 is a timeless masterpiece that epitomizes the pinnacle of horological craftsmanship and elegance. This exquisite timepiece, encased in luxurious 18k gold, is not merely a watch but a piece of history, reflecting the impeccable artistry and innovation of the renowned Swiss watchmaker, Patek Philippe. Each detail of this pocket watch, from its intricate engravings to its meticulously crafted movement, showcases the brand’s dedication to precision and aesthetic excellence. Owning this watch is akin to holding a fragment of the 19th century, a period when Patek Philippe was solidifying its reputation as a leader in the world of high-end watchmaking. The 1860 Patek Philippe 18k Gold Pocket Watch is more than just an accessory; it is a testament to enduring quality and a symbol of timeless sophistication. Patek Philippe is a prestigious watchmaker known for crafting some of the most intricate and beautiful timepieces in the world. With a history that dates back to 1839, the brand has created timepieces for some of the most influential people in history, including Tolstoy, Queen Victoria, and even Pope Pius IX. Today, the company is still run by the Stern family and remains one of the most highly regarded watchmakers in the world. Irama Pradera, the creative director of the design and estate department at PRADERA, has worked for major auction houses in the jewelry department at Christie’s in NY. With a “Multinational Management degree for Wharton Business School” and a “Diamond and Colored Gem Grading” identification from the GIA in NY, she has a wealth of knowledge and experience in the jewelry industry. PRADERA is a second-generation family-run business that is a leading jewelry retailer in Spain. They have been official dealers for some of the finest European jewelry brands, such as Chanel, Baccarat, Fabergé, and Breitling. PRADERA’s experience in working with the best European craftsmen has allowed them to curate some of the finest jewelry collections for high net worth individuals in Europe. At PRADERA, all jewelry is guaranteed to come from sustainable and reliable sources and owners. The company is a 360° enterprise with a passion for jewelry and the value of time, gold, and precious stones. With their commitment to excellence, PRADERA is a leading jewelry retailer, and their team is dedicated to providing the finest products and services to their customers. Creator: Patek Philippe Case Material: 18k Gold,Gold Stone: Ruby Stone Cut: Bead Weight: 112.2 g Case Dimensions: Diameter: 43 mm (1.7 in) Place of Origin: Scotland Period: Late 19th Century Date of Manufacture: Circa 1860 Condition: Good
Historical context
Industrial Revolution (1850 – 1900)
American interchangeable-parts manufacture; railroad time standards; Swiss and German factory systems.
Machine production with interchangeable parts, pioneered by Waltham (1850s) and adopted by Elgin, Longines, Omega and others, made reliable lever watches widely affordable. Keyless winding became standard, railroad watch standards were introduced (1890s), and Swiss and American industries competed globally.
Read the period in the timelineMore pocket watches from this periodEarlier: Precision & Scientific Horology
Atlas type guide
Pocket watches
The pocket watch was the dominant personal timekeeper from the late seventeenth century until the First World War. Its development tracks the history of the escapement: verge watches with fusees until the late eighteenth century; Thomas Mudge's lever escapement (c. 1755) and the cylinder escapement popularised by George Graham and later by Swiss makers; and the Swiss and English lever watches of the nineteenth century. Lépine's bar-bridge calibre and keyless winding made watches thinner and easier to use.
Industrialisation transformed the trade: American factories such as Waltham (from 1850) and Elgin produced interchangeable parts by machine, and Swiss makers responded with their own mechanisation after the 1876 Philadelphia Exhibition. By 1900 a reliable watch was affordable to millions; the finest makers continued to produce complications and precision watches.
What to look for
- The escapement: verge (crown wheel), cylinder, duplex, English or Swiss lever.
- Key winding (a square arbor in dial or back) or keyless crown winding.
- Signatures and serial numbers on the movement, dial and inside case back.
- Hallmarks, case maker's marks and gold or silver standards stamped in the case.
- Dial material: enamel, silver, gold, later printed metal.
Dating clues
- Verge watches dominate before c. 1800; cylinder watches c. 1770–1900; lever watches after c. 1820.
- Keyless winding: increasingly common after c. 1860.
- Manufacturer serial number lists exist for Waltham, Elgin, Longines, Omega, Patek Philippe and others.
General guidance written by the Atlas editors about this kind of object. It is not a statement about this particular piece; for that, rely on the source record above and on physical examination.
Read next:Verge escapementDetached lever escapementFuseeIdentification Centre
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