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Patek Philippe Yellow Gold Chronograph Pocket Watch, 1909 — view 1 of 6
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Pocket Watches · Pocket watch

Patek Philippe Yellow Gold Chronograph Pocket Watch, 1909

DocumentedDocumented from a dealer's listing; attribution and date as stated by the dealer.
Maker / attribution
Patek Philippe (maker)
Date
1909
Country of origin
Switzerland
Object type
Pocket watch
Materials / technique
gold
Stock no.
Product 2855
Credit line
Dealer listing, WatchMuseum.org shop (product 2855)
Catalogue title (original)
Patek Philippe Yellow Gold Chronograph 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 2855), this is a pocket watch by Patek Philippe, made in Switzerland, dated 1909. The Atlas places it in the Golden Age of Mechanical Watchmaking period (1900 – 1945) 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 Yellow Gold Chronograph Pocket Watch from 1909 is a stunning example of early 20th-century horological craftsmanship, embodying the timeless elegance and technical sophistication that the renowned Swiss watchmaker is celebrated for. Measuring a substantial 50mm in diameter, this exquisite timepiece features an 18k yellow gold 3-piece case, complete with an inside dust cover, which not only protects its intricate inner workings but also adds an extra layer of opulence. The white porcelain dial, adorned with black Roman numerals and an outer chapter ring calibrated for minutes, showcases the meticulous attention to detail synonymous with Patek Philippe. It includes a subdial for seconds at the 6 o’clock position and a 30-minute chronograph register at 12 o’clock, with a centre sweep hand boasting a flyback function—an impressive feature for any vintage watch enthusiast. The watch is powered by a stem-wound and set 26-jewel nickel lever movement, securely housed within the case and signed with the distinctive Patek Philippe & Co Geneva, Switzerland branding. The monogram-engraved case back, crafted from 18k gold, and the inside case back stamp with the Swiss hallmark PPCo 2511848, further authenticate this masterpiece. The intricately-engraved inside dust cover, dated 1909, completes the presentation of this remarkable pocket watch. In excellent condition, this Patek Philippe pocket watch is not just a timekeeping device but a true work of art that will undoubtedly captivate and impress all admirers of high-end vintage watches. This is an exquisite vintage Patek Philippe open face chronograph pocket watch from around 1909, measuring 50mm in diameter. The watch features an 18k yellow gold 3-piece case complete with an inside dust cover. The white porcelain dial is adorned with black Roman numerals, an outer chapter ring calibrated for minutes, a subdial for seconds at 6 o’clock, and a 30-minute chronograph register at 12 o’clock. The centre sweep hand boasts a flyback function, making it a perfect addition to any vintage watch collection. The watch is stem-wound and set, and its 26-jewel nickel lever movement is safely encased within the watch. The movement itself is signed with the distinctive Patek Philippe & Co Geneva, Switzerland branding. The monogram-engraved case back features a beautiful 18k gold, and the inside case back stamp further authenticates this masterpiece with the Swiss hallmark PPCo 2511848. Additionally, the cuvette is stamped with an elegant 18k 251848. The presentation of the watch is completed with an intricately-engraved inside dust cover with a date stamp of 1909. Overall, this remarkable Patek Philippe pocket watch is a true work of art that will undoubtedly impress all admirers of high-end vintage watches. Creator: Patek Philippe Case Material: Yellow Gold,18k Gold Movement: Manual Wind Chronograph: Place of Origin: Switzerland Period: 1900-1909 Date of Manufacture: 1909 Condition: Excellent

Historical context

Golden Age of Mechanical Watchmaking (1900 – 1945)

The wristwatch displaces the pocket watch; waterproof cases, self-winding and grand complications.

The pocket watch reached technical maturity and then began to give way to the wristwatch after the First World War. Complicated watches for collectors such as Henry Graves Jr. and James Ward Packard, railroad watches, and slim Art Deco dress watches are characteristic.

Read the period in the timelineMore pocket watches from this periodEarlier: Industrial Revolution

Atlas type guide

Chronographs and split-seconds watches

A chronograph is a watch with an additional seconds hand that can be started, stopped and returned to zero independently of the timekeeping. Louis Moinet built an early example in 1816 and Nicolas Rieussec a recording 'chronographe' in 1821; Adolphe Nicole's heart-shaped reset cam (patented 1862) made the modern return-to-zero possible. Split-seconds (rattrapante) chronographs add a second hand that can be stopped for intermediate times; flyback chronographs restart instantly.

Chronographs were essential tools for doctors (pulsometer scales), artillery (telemeter), engineers and sport. In wristwatches, Valjoux, Venus, Lemania and later the automatic chronographs of 1969 (Zenith El Primero, the Chronomatic Calibre 11 group and Seiko 6139) are milestones.

What to look for

  • Push-pieces on the case band or a single button in the crown (monopusher).
  • Subsidiary registers for minutes and hours; tachymeter, telemeter or pulsometer scales.
  • Column wheel versus cam control visible in the movement.
  • Calibre markings of specialist makers (Valjoux, Lemania, Venus, Landeron).

Dating clues

  • Pocket chronographs with heart cam reset: after 1862.
  • Wrist chronographs: from c. 1910; two-button designs from the 1930s.
  • Automatic chronographs: from 1969.

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:Chronograph

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