Lot #5276
Patek Philippe Les Impériales Pendant Watch 4760J 18K YG with Certificate
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Introduction
Created in 1989 to celebrate Patek Philippe's 150th anniversary, the Les Impériales collection revived a form of personal timekeeping that had largely disappeared from contemporary watchmaking: the pendant or lapel watch. Rather than treating it as an historical curiosity, Patek Philippe presented the concept as an elegant piece of jewellery intended to be worn visibly on clothing. The ref. 4760J combines a compact 27mm 18K yellow gold case with a restrained white dial, Breguet-style numerals and quartz movement, placing the emphasis firmly on elegance and discretion rather than mechanical complexity.
Only 50 examples of this limited edition were produced, but this particular watch has an additional layer of significance through its provenance. It comes from the collection of René Bittel, whose contemporary promotional material for Patek Philippe specifically celebrated the return of the lapel watch and its place within the Les Impériales collection. Together, the limited production, anniversary context and unusually relevant history make this far more than simply an unconventional Patek Philippe accessory.
Loupe This Scorecard
Grade
M 8.5
Status
Vetted & Approved
Included
Attestation, leather portfolio, commemorative coin and papers
Est. value range
$3,000 – $5,000
The Details
Brand
Patek Philippe
Dimensions
27mm
Model
Les Impériales Pendant Watch
Movement
Quartz calibre E15
Reference
4760J
Bracelet
N/A
Year
1989
Condition
Excellent
Material
18K Yellow Gold
Included
Attestation, leather portfolio, commemorative coin and papers
Dial Color
White
THE DIAL
The white dial is deliberately classical, with black Breguet-style Arabic numerals, a discreet minute track and slender hands providing an elegant contrast against the yellow gold case. Its restrained execution reflects the Les Impériales concept, allowing the elaborate pendant form rather than the time display itself to take centre stage.
THE CONSTRUCTION
The 27mm case is crafted from 18K yellow gold and designed to be worn as a pendant or lapel watch rather than conventionally on the wrist. Produced as part of Patek Philippe's 150th-anniversary celebrations in 1989, the ref. 4760J was made in a limited edition of just 50 pieces.
THE MOVEMENT
Inside is Patek Philippe's quartz calibre E15, an appropriately compact movement for the 27mm pendant format. Its use also places the ref. 4760 firmly within its late-1980s context, when Patek Philippe employed high-quality quartz movements extensively throughout its smaller and jewellery-oriented watches
Condition
Watch is in overall excellent condition. The 18K yellow gold case shows surface scratches and a couple of small nicks. A crisp hallmark remains on the case side. The brooch fitting is in excellent condition. The white dial is in excellent condition, with a small black mark to the upper half. The Breguet hands have lost some of their blued finish. Comes with Attestation, leather portfolio, commemorative coin and papers.
Our Perspective
The ref. 4760J is unusual even by the standards of Patek Philippe's anniversary watches. Produced in only 50 examples, it revived the pendant watch at precisely the moment wristwatches had become overwhelmingly dominant. The René Bittel provenance makes this example especially compelling as Bittel was directly connected with promoting the Les Impériales concept in 1989, giving this particular watch a tangible connection to the story behind its creation and original presentation.
John Reardon
Collectability.com
