Patek Philippe Yellow Gold Imperial Russian Chronometro Gondolo Pocket Watch
About the Item
The inner dust cover of this exceptional piece bears a Cyrillic inscription that translates to Standart, the private yacht of Tsar Nicholas II. Built by order of Emperor Alexander III of Russia, the Imperial Yacht Standart was a marine wonder, the largest of its kind afloat in its day. Boating aboard the colossal ship was to become a favorite pastime of Tsar Nicholas II and his family and, though the yacht was dry-docked after the Russian Revolution until 1936, it took on new life as a minelayer and played a significant role in the defense of Leningrad in World War II. Created in homage to this remarkable and beloved vessel, this pocket watch is truly an exceptional piece of Russian and naval history. An intricately rendered engraving of the Russian Imperial Standard surmounts the Standartinscription. Depicting a double-headed eagle holding in its beaks and talons four maps, the standard signifies Russian historic sovereignty over the Baltic, Black, Caspian and White seas.
Adding to the exceptional history is the fact that this chronograph is truly a technical masterpiece. The 18K yellow gold, engine-turned case encloses the split second chronometro, while the times are told on the white enamel dial with black Breguet numerals and subsidiary seconds. A classic Patek Philippe creation, this fine timepiece displays the precision and luxury for which the firm is so celebrated.
Fully hallmarked on the inner cover and correctly stamped
Circa 1908
- Creator:
- Case Material:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:Circa 1908
- Condition:
- Seller Location:New Orleans, LA
- Reference Number:Seller: 30-33001stDibs: LU135881362
Patek Philippe
It shouldn’t be surprising that a Patek Philippe holds the world auction record for a watch ($31.2 million for a Patek Grandmaster Chime, sold at Christie’s). Known for impeccable craftsmanship and some of the most complicated timepieces ever created, the brand is considered by many to be the height of fine watchmaking. Collectors simply love Patek Philippe watches.
The house was founded in Geneva in 1839 by Polish expats Antoni Patek and Franciszek Czapek. Czapek left the firm, and in 1845, Patek partnered with French watchmaker Jean Adrien Philippe. It was the beginning of a beautiful friendship.
Catering to the glitterati of Europe, the pair counted among their clients Tolstoy, Pope Pius IX and Queen Victoria, as well as Countess Koscowicz of Hungary, for whom they created the first Swiss-made wristwatch in 1868. They also had their eye on the American market and in 1851 entered an arrangement with Tiffany Co. still in effect today.
During the Great Depression, brothers Jean and Charles Stern, who had previously supplied Patek Philippe with watch dials, bought the company, and it continues to be run by the Stern family today.
Under the Sterns, the house has developed some of its most famous models, including the Calatrava, an elegantly minimal dress watch introduced in 1932 and named for the Calatrava Cross (the company’s logo since 1887), and the Nautilus, the brand’s first sports watch, conceived by legendary designer Gérald Genta in 1976.
Despite the house’s longevity, it’s rumored that it has manufactured fewer than a million Patek watches, making each one all the more coveted. (The brand's pieces are understandably attractive to counterfeiters — make sure you know how to spot a fake Patek Philippe watch.)
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