While their modern plaudits come from their infamously desirable wristwatches, the brand began life creating pocket watches, much like other watchmakers that began life during the 19th century and before. As such, it is pocket watches, like the example we have here draws attention to Patek Philippe’s original legendary aesthetic and unwavering level of craftsmanship. Featuring an 18kt yellow gold construction, a stunning white enamel dial with black painted Breguet numerals alongside beautiful 18kt yellow gold Louis XIV hands, crisp black inscriptions and a sunken sub-seconds dial with another embellishment of a black railroad seconds track for its chapter ring, this example’s display is a classily executed embodiment of style and decorum. Featuring a large 55mm construction, this example’s hunter case features dust cover as well as a traditional caseback along with a single cover for its dial. These dial and caseback covers also feature the piece’s two most stunning details, a blue, yellow, and red enamel-filled engraved LPG monogram (the initials of Leónidas Plaza Gutiérrez, the President of Ecuador who was its first owner) and a red, blue, green, and yellow enamel-filled engraving of a bouquet of flowers in a beautiful vase, both set atop a grain d’orge finish, that serve to highlight Patek’s incredible reputation as one of horology’s best watchmakers – a reputation that they have earned over the centuries, and a reputation that they will not lose any time soon judging by their constantly improving product line and back-log of truly iconic designs.

Fresh-to-market repeaters always make my heart skip. And the sound of this repeater will make your heart skip... This is what Patek Philippe repeaters are all about and there is no modern minute repeater that could dare to compare in terms of the sound and the hand finishing from a bygone era. With its ornate case as described on the Extract and a distinguished provenance, this is truly a sleeper.