Patek Philippe and Tiffany & Co. Cloisonné Enamel Watch
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
circa 1893
Maker / issuer
Patek PhilippeThis open-face keyless pocket watch is a collaboration between Patek Philippe and Tiffany & Co., dated by the source to circa 1893. The 31.5mm case is manufactured from 18K yellow gold and features cloisonné enamel decoration on the bezel, case band, and the hinged caseback.
The decorative pattern consists of multicolored floral and foliage motifs set against a black ground, requiring the application of multiple layers of enamel and separate firings. The white enamel dial features a central track with Roman numeral hour markers and an outer track with Arabic numerals for subsidiary seconds. It is powered by a Patek Philippe calibre 12 manual-winding movement. The timepiece is provided with its original box.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Technical characteristics
- Date
- circa 1893
- Type
- Open-face keyless watch
- Maker
- Patek Philippe
- Vendor
- M.S. Rau
- Movement
- Patek Philippe Calibre 12
- Signature
- Tiffany & Co.
- Case diameter
- 31.5mm
- Case material
- 18K Yellow Gold and Enamel
- Maker / attribution
- Patek Philippe
Design
- Visible features
- • Hinged case with floral cloisonné enamel • Louis XV style hands • Roman and Arabic numeral dial tracks • Keyless winding crown at 12 o'clock
- Dial and Timekeeping
- The watch features a white enamel dial with a dual-numeral display. An inner track contains Roman numerals to denote the hours, while an outer track presents Arabic numerals intended for the reading of subsidiary seconds. The dial is signed "Tiffany & Co. New York" and utilizes Louis XV hands to indicate the time. The internal mechanics consist of a Patek Philippe calibre 12 manual-winding movement. This calibre is described by the source as high-quality and functions as a keyless winding system, allowing the watch to be wound via the crown positioned at the top of the case.
- Case and Enamel Decoration
- The watch is housed in an 18K yellow gold hinged case measuring 31.5mm in diameter. The exterior surfaces, including the bezel, case band, and the caseback, are decorated using the cloisonné enameling technique. This process involves the meticulous shaping of thin gold wires to form patterns, which are subsequently filled with enamel to create the depicted floral and foliage designs. The technique requires the application of multiple layers of enamel, with each layer subjected to individual firing processes at controlled temperatures. The resulting aesthetic features vibrant, colored floral elements set against a dark, black enamel ground, a style that characterizes the entirety of the watch case.
- Provenance and Documentation
- The watch is associated with Tiffany & Co., as indicated by the signature on the dial and the case branding. It is documented by M.S. Rau as an item dating to approximately 1893. The watch is offered with its original box, which serves as the accompanying delivery contents for the timepiece.
Identification
- Source note
- Facts transcribed from the linked source listing or collection record. Attribution and specifications are source-reported and have not been independently authenticated.
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Research required: No movement serial number is provided in the source
- Research required: The source does not explicitly specify the country of manufacture