Lot 156

Patek Philippe

Squelette

A very fine, rare, octogonal, skeletonised and elaborately hand-engraved Geneva neo-vintage wristwatch

Sold

This timepiece stands out because of its exquisite engraving, which makes it a unique piece of miniature art. All parts of the gold bridges are entirely hand-engraved, with only the setting mechanism, the mainspring and parts of the escapement being made of steel. It was only possible to produce a small number of these skeletonised watches per year. The estimate is that the whole production series from 1980 to the late 1990s comprised of only a few hundred pieces. The ellipse was originally intended as a test model for a skeletonised wristwatch. Patek Philippe produced automatic as well as mechanical models. Watch enthusiasts preferred the mechanical models, such as reference 3886. This model, however, is still highly coveted by collectors.
This model in an octagonal case is sold by the original owner and has never been offered during an auction before. It is in excellent condition. The watch has rarely been worn, was always treated with utmost care and is offered as a full set.