A find AND RARE EARLY 18K YELLOW GOLD HUNTING WITH ENAMEL SCENES
replica tag heuer watches
VARIOUS OWNERS
PATEK PHILIPPE
A FINE AND RARE EARLY 18K YELLOW GOLD HUNTING CASED WATCH WITH ENAMEL SCENES
1850 NO 4735 .
14”’ movement with cylinder escapement, gold cuvette white enamel dial with hairlines, bezel and crystal lacking front cover with
a polychrome enamel Swiss mountain scene inhabited by boats and a fisherman, the reverse with a shepardess with a mule
tending her flock, both sides framed in champlevé blue enamel with loss with floral medallions case and cuvette signed and
numbered Extract from the Archives confirming enamel scenes and sale 30 April 1855
diameter 38 mm .
CATALOGUE NOTE
The present lot is an excellent example of a very early moment in the relationship between Antoine-Norbert de
Patek and Jean-Adrien Philippe. The two met in 1844, in Paris, and the following year, founded Patek &Cie
together. In early 1851, the firm was renamed Patek, Philippe &Cie’.
As the present lot is signed ‘Patek Philippe &Co’, the most likely scenario as suggested by the Extract is that the
movement was completed in 1850. The cuvette was one of the first to be signed with the new company’s name,
sometime before the recorded date of sale in 1855.
In the early days of the partnership, the company was not satisfied to rest on the laurels of their technical advances,
and as such also worked to create pieces of aesthetic beauty. At their display in the 1851 London Universal
Exhibition, they advertised ‘enamel painting in flowers, landscapes, portraits and historical subjects’ alongside their
newly patented stem-winding watches.
It is rare to find such an early piece bearing an enamel scene on both covers. Patek Philippe watches from this time
period generally do not feature figural scenes. Such pieces are highly sought after and coveted by collectors and
curators alike.
PATEK PHILIPPE
A LADY’S 18K YELLOW GOLD ENAMEL, PEARL AND DIAMOND-SET OPEN-FACED PENDANT WATCH
1899 MVT 112982 CASE 223690 diameter 27 mm
PATEK PHILIPPE
TWO YELLOW GOLD HUNTING CASED WATCHES, ONE FOR A LADY AND ONE FOR A GENTLEMAN,
RETAILED BY E. NETTER &CO., MANNHEIM
1908 MVT 144039 CASE 257924 AND 1910 MVT 161432 CASE 267115
the first: 18”’ movement, 14k gold case the second: 10”’ movement, 18k gold case with engraved floral motif to band and bezels
both: bi-metallic compensation balance, white enamel dial, monogram to the hinged front, case, dial and movement signed by
maker, cuvette signed by maker and retailer both: with original presentation boxes, Certificates of Origin, and Extracts from the
Archives
the first: 47 mm, the second: 28 mm
PATEK PHILIPPE
A FINE AND UNUSUAL 18K YELLOW GOLD AND ENAMEL OPEN-FACED WATCH, CUSTOMIZED FOR
RETAILER GEORGE BRODNAX, MEMPHIS
1921 ‘MURAT’ MVT 804199 CASE 409542
17”’ movement, 18 jewels, gold cuvette gilt dial, stylized Arabic numerals, interior enamel ring, Breguet hands bezels, band, bow
and pendant decorated in tones of blue, green and white enamel, snap case back centered by GTB monogram in black, blue and
green enamel case and dial signed by maker, cuvette and movement signed for George Brodnax, Memphis Extract from the
Archives confirming sale 29 Jan 1924 confirming all ornamentation and monogram
diameter 45 mm
CATALOGUE NOTE
The present lot is a good example of Patek Philippe’s work to create individually customized piece at the request of
important clients. It is interesting to note that while it is not uncommon to see retailer’s signatures on the firm’s
watches, this particular piece was in fact made for the owner of the Brodnax jewelry store. As such, the George
Brodnax signatures on the cuvette and movement are in fact personalized signatures for the owner of the watch.
George Taylor Brodnax, Sr. was the owner and president of Brodnax Jewelry, 39 South Main St, Memphis, TN, at
the time the largest jewelry store in the South. After the death of George Sr. in 1917, ownership of the firm was
passed on to his son, George Taylor Brodnax, Jr. (1900-1939).
The date of manufacture in 1921 suggests that the watch may have been commissioned as a 21st birthday gift to
George Jr., as a piece that would evoke the memory of his father and the pride in the business passed down from
father to son,.
The watch has been held in the possession of descendants of the Brodnax family until this point. Sotheby’s is
pleased to offer this piece for the first time at auction.
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