Patek Philippe Astronomical Keyless Pocket Watch
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1878
This Patek Philippe & Cie. keyless pocket watch, numbered 48280 and manufactured in 1878, was sold to A. Maurer on 3 March 1884. It is constructed in an 18K pink gold 'bassine' case featuring a diameter of 52 mm, four bodies, and inset hinges, with a hinged gold cuvette protecting the movement.
The timepiece functions as an astronomical watch with a perpetual calendar mechanism. It is signed by the maker on the white enamel dial and on the gilt brass movement, which contains 18 jewels and features a straight-line lever escapement 'a moustaches' and a Breguet balance spring. Retailer signatures are also present on both the dial and the cuvette.
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
- Type
- Keyless moon phase astronomical pocket watch with perpetual calendar
- Maker
- Patek Philippe & Cie., Geneve
- Escapement
- straight line lever escapement 'a moustaches'
- Case Material
- 18K pink gold
- Serial Number
- 48280
- Place recorded
- Switzerland
- Case Dimensions
- 52 mm
- Movement Jewels
- 18
- Retailer History
- Sold to A. Maurer on 3 March 1884
- Manufacturing Date
- 1878
- Maker / attribution
- Patek Philippe & Cie.
Design
- Visible features
- • White enamel dial with Roman numeral hour markers • Four-body polished gold case with crown winding mechanism • Subsidiary dial layout showing day, month, and date with moon phase • Blued-steel spade-style hands
- Movement and Escapement
- The internal mechanism is a gilt brass movement featuring 18 jewels. The escapement is a straight-line lever design, identified in the records as 'a moustaches'. To maintain consistent oscillation, the movement is equipped with a Breguet balance spring. The movement carries the signature of Patek Philippe & Cie., confirming its origin.
- Signatures and Provenance
- The watch is identified by the serial number 48280. The Patek Philippe & Cie. signature is applied to the dial and the movement. Additionally, a retailer signature is present on both the dial and the hinged cuvette. According to the archive records, the watch was produced in 1878 and subsequently sold to A. Maurer on 3 March 1884. The object is documented by an Extract from the Archives provided by the manufacturer.
- Case and Dial Construction
- The timepiece is housed in a 52 mm 'bassine' case crafted from 18K pink gold. It is constructed in four bodies and features a polished finish with inset hinges. A hinged gold cuvette protects the movement from dust and environmental exposure. The dial is composed of white enamel and displays Roman numerals for hours along with an outer minute ring. The watch functions as an astronomical perpetual calendar. It incorporates sunk subsidiary dials to indicate the day of the week, the months, and the day of the month. The latter is paired with a subsidiary seconds display and an inner red date ring. A moon phase aperture is integrated into the dial, featuring a numerical age-of-the-moon indicator on its border. Time is indicated via blued-steel 'spade' hands.
Identification
- Serial number
- 48280
- 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: Retailer identity is not explicitly linked to the signature name on the dial
- Research required: Exact nature of the 'a moustaches' escapement adjustment is not described