Patek Philippe Ref. 876 Large Minute Repeater
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1912 (movement), 1975 (cased)
This Patek Philippe & Cie pocket watch, reference 876, is a keyless minute-repeater housed in an 18K yellow gold "bassine" case. The watch has a distinct production history, with the movement originally made in 1912, followed by completion and casing in 1975, and a subsequent sale in 1976.
The dial is white enamel, featuring black Breguet numerals, an outer minute track, and a subsidiary seconds dial, paired with blued steel spade hands. The movement is a rhodium-plated calibre decorated with fausses cotes, incorporating 31 jewels, wolf’s tooth winding, and a counterpoised straight-line lever escapement. It features a cut bimetallic compensation balance adjusted for heat, cold, isochronism, and five positions.
The watch includes a swan-neck micrometer regulator and a repeating mechanism on gongs, operated via a slide on the case band. The diameter measures 56 mm with a thickness of 15 mm.
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
- Minute repeating pocket watch
- Maker
- Patek Philippe & Cie
- Diameter
- 56 mm
- Material
- 18K yellow gold
- Reference
- 876
- Case Style
- Bassine
- Jewel Count
- 31
- Date of Sale
- April 29, 1976
- Place recorded
- Switzerland
- Case Serial Number
- 332855
- Maker / attribution
- Patek Philippe & Cie
- Movement Serial Number
- 174090
Design
- Case and Dial
- The watch is housed in an 18K yellow gold case, described in the records as a three-body "bassine" polished housing. The aesthetic follows a traditional configuration for a large minute-repeater of this stature, maintaining a 56 mm diameter and 15 mm thickness. The slide mechanism for activating the repeating gongs is integrated into the side of the case band. The dial is composed of white enamel and displays black Breguet-style numerals for hour indication. It is complemented by an outer minute track and a dedicated subsidiary seconds dial. The time is indicated by blued steel spade hands, providing high contrast against the white enamel surface. The dial, case, and movement are all signed by Patek Philippe & Cie.
- Visible features
- • White enamel dial with Breguet numerals and a subsidiary seconds indicator. • Movement features rhodium plating with fausses cotes decorative finish. • Minute repeating mechanism is engaged by a slide located on the side of the gold case. • The movement displays wolf's tooth winding and a swan-neck micrometer regulator.
- Movement and Escapement
- The movement is a rhodium-plated calibre, identified as Cal. 19???, featuring traditional fausses cotes decoration. The construction includes 31 jewels and utilizes a wolf’s tooth winding system for the mainspring. The escapement is a counterpoised straight-line lever type, regulated by a cut bimetallic compensation balance. This balance is adjusted for heat, cold, isochronism, and five positions to ensure precision. Regulation of the movement is managed by a swan-neck micrometer regulator, and the timepiece is equipped with a blued steel Breguet balance spring. The repeating mechanism operates on gongs activated by the external slide. The production timeline for the calibre is notable; while the movement was originally manufactured in 1912, it remained un-cased for several decades until it was completed and finished in 1975.
- Provenance and Documentation
- The watch is accompanied by an Extract from the Archives, providing verification of its production and sale details. The record confirms the disparate dates between the movement's inception in 1912 and its completion in 1975. The watch was officially sold on April 29, 1976. The grading system applied to the watch, which is identified as Lot 350, characterizes the overall quality as AAA Excellent.
Identification
- Reference
- 876
- Serial number
- 174090
- 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: The source lists the movement as 'Cal. 19???' indicating uncertainty regarding the specific calibre designation.
- Research required: The auction report recommends an overhaul of the movement, though no specific mechanical faults are detailed.