Patek Philippe Yellow Gold Rectangular Dress Watch, 'Cartier' Dial

Dealer description — Oliver & Clarke

As far as brand identity goes, Patek Philippe, unlike many brands, is seemingly free of being associated with any one model in particular, and instead enjoys a reputation for quality, craftsmanship, and a long-standing pedigree as a top Swiss manufacturer. Of course, there are models and model families that are nothing short of icons (e.g., Nautilus, Calatrava, Grand Complications, etc.) but if you dig deep enough there are hidden gems that do not even fall into any of these families. Take the yellow gold dress watch that we have here for example. Dating to circa 1976, it is an excellent representation of an era when brands like Audemars Piguet, Piaget, and even Rolex were experimenting with design-forward timepieces focused on finishing and opulence. The square 26mm x 26mm case remains in excellent condition, with correct brushed and polished surface, clear hallmarks and engravings, and an integrated yellow gold bracelet with a stunning 'woven' textured surface and signed locking clasp. Inside, the yellow gold dial features a matching 'woven' finishing to that of the bracelet, with black printed indices and Patek Philippe text, with a matching black-painted 'pencil' handset. Last but not least, this piece is further elevated by an additional retailer signature on the lower half of the dial that reads "Cartier." How about that! This then, is a representation of a bygone era not just for Patek Philippe, but for what a high-end dress watch used to be. Only in the last few years have collectors and enthusiasts alike started to pay a bit more attention to pieces like these and, we think, its long overdue. ... And this piece, with its documentation and extra spice on the dial, makes for something genuinely rare.