Lot 314

Armand Schwob & Frère

Pateck Genève

An extremely rare, historically interesting pocket watch with minute repeater

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This watch was not made by Patek Philippe, but by Armand Schwob & Frère, which sold some of its watches under the name "Pateck Geneve". As with Patek Philippe, the movement is fitted with screwed gold chatons, a counterpoised lever and a Breguet hairspring.

From the Allgemeine Journal der Uhrmacherkunst of April 15, 1894:
The trial Patek, Philippe & Co. against Armand Schwob & Frère for forgery.
On July 9, 1885 a Patek, Philippe & Co. sales person saw timepieces signed "Pateck Genève" in the Swiss section of the Antwerp exhibition, specifically in the showcases of company Armand Schwob & Frère from La Chaux-de-Fonds Uhren.
The jury discussed the circumstances, letters were exchanged and eventually an official record was produced, which suggested that the Schwob showcases should be removed. The company Armand Schwob & Frère reached out to the press and admitted to one single watch in their showcases which featured the designation "Pateck Genève", but did not come from Armand Schwob & Frère. Schwob complained about having been insulted and defamed by their competitor. The Patek Philippe & Cie, Genève company insisted that A. Schwob & Frères had inflicted great damage on them by illegally engraving their name on low quality timepieces, which would then be advertised or sold as Patek watches. The company A. Schwob & Frère responded that the signature "Pateck Geneve" did not match that of Patek, Philippe & Co. and subsequently could not deceive the clients. A. Schwob & Frère also relied on the widespread custom to engrave the name "Pateck" on the domes, which had always been accepted by the Geneva house without ever being disputed. They also insisted that even abroad there could be no mix-up between real Patek watches and their lower quality watches, which always bore the name Pateck written with a "c". They took this to mean that they acted in good faith and did not inflict any harm on the Geneva brand. After four trial days the court at Neuchâtel came to the unanimous decision that the company A. Schwob & Fils, Chaux-de-Fonds must not use the name "Pateck" any more. The A. Schwob & Fils company was obliged to pay 15,000 Francs to Patek, Philippe & Cie. The decision was not made public and A. Schwob & Frere carried the legal costs.