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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Open-face pocket watch

Patek Philippe 18k Open-Face Pocket Watch

Partially verified

This open-face pocket watch by Patek Philippe is housed in an 18k gold case measuring 46 mm in diameter. The source dates the piece to circa 1919 and notes an accompanying Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming manufacture in 1919 and sale on December 14, 1920. It features a white enamel dial with black Roman numerals, an outer railway minute track, blued steel hands, and a subsidiary seconds subdial at the 6 o'clock position. The manual-wind movement is an 18-ligne caliber. Christie's reports that both the dust cover and movement mention retailer Shreve, Crump & Low, along with a gift inscription dated June 1924.

Dial view of the Patek Philippe 18k gold open-face pocket watch
Dial view of the Patek Philippe 18k gold open-face pocket watch — Christie's. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
onlineonly.christies.com
Category
Pocket watch · Open-face pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Patek Philippe
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
136
Source-reported date
circa 1919
Source-reported place
Switzerland

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Dial and Visual Presentation

Visual observation shows a white enamel dial with black Roman numeral hour markers, an outer closed railway minute track, and blued steel hands. A subsidiary seconds dial is located at the 6 o'clock position with Arabic numerals marked at ten-second intervals.

The dial is signed 'PATEK, PHILIPPE & CIE GENEVA, SWITZERLAND'. The open-face 18k gold case features a polished finish, a grooved winding crown, and an angled triangular bow.

Evidence for this section
  • “White enamel dial with bold black Roman numeral hour markers and blued steel hands.”
  • “Subsidiary seconds dial positioned at 6 o'clock with Arabic numerals at ten-second intervals.”
  • “Dial signed 'PATEK, PHILIPPE & CIE GENEVA, SWITZERLAND'.”
  • “Polished gold case with a distinctive triangular/angled bow and grooved winding crown.”

Case Construction and Inscriptions

Catalogued as 18k gold with a stated diameter of 46 mm, the case is reported by the auction house to feature a hidden hinge. The source condition report notes a hallmark visible at the base of the bow, hallmarks on the inside case back, and internal watchmaker's marks.

The auction catalog states that the case back is engraved with initials reading 'WKE.' Internally, the dust cover is noted to carry an engraved inscription reading 'Willard from Anne, June 1924.'

Evidence for this section
  • “CASE MATERIAL: 18k gold”
  • “CASE DIAMETER: 46mm”
  • “The case features a hidden hinge.”
  • “The hallmark is visible to the base of the bow. The case back shows normal signs of wear and has initials engraved to it that read, "WKE."”
  • “The inside case back has watchmaker's marks and the hallmarks are crisp. The dust cover has an engraving that reads, "Willard from Anne, June 1924."”

Mechanism and Retailer Attribution

The auction listing records the movement as a manual-wind 18''' caliber. According to Christie's cataloging, the movement, case, and dial are all signed by Patek Philippe.

The auction house also reports that both the dust cover and movement mention retailer 'Shreve, Crump & Low.' An accompanying Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives is noted to confirm a manufacture date of 1919 and a sale date of December 14, 1920.

Evidence for this section
  • “CALIBER: 18'''”
  • “The movement, case and dial are signed 'Patek Philippe.'”
  • “The dust cover and movement both mention 'Shreve, Crump & Low."”
  • “ACCESSORIES: Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming manufacture date of 1919 and sale date of December 14, 1920”

Open research questions

  • What specific movement serial number and case serial number are recorded on the watch and listed on the Extract from the Archives?
  • How is the Shreve, Crump & Low retailer inscription phrased and positioned on the movement plates and dust cover?
  • What specific hallmark stamps are present on the inside case back and the base of the bow?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Patek Philippe 18k Open-Face Pocket Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Case Material18k gold“CASE MATERIAL: 18k gold”
Case Diameter46mm“CASE DIAMETER: 46mm”
DialWhite enamel“DIAL: White enamel”
Caliber18'''“CALIBER: 18'''”
Retailer mentionShreve, Crump & Low“The dust cover and movement both mention 'Shreve, Crump & Low."”
Case HingeHidden hinge“The case features a hidden hinge.”
Case Back EngravingInitials 'WKE'“The case back shows normal signs of wear and has initials engraved to it that read, "WKE."”
Dust Cover InscriptionWillard from Anne, June 1924“The dust cover has an engraving that reads, "Willard from Anne, June 1924."”
Archival DatesManufactured 1919; sold December 14, 1920“confirming manufacture date of 1919 and sale date of December 14, 1920”

Visible details

  • White enamel dial with bold black Roman numeral hour markers and blued steel hands.
  • Subsidiary seconds dial positioned at 6 o'clock with Arabic numerals at ten-second intervals.
  • Dial signed 'PATEK, PHILIPPE & CIE GENEVA, SWITZERLAND'.
  • Polished gold case with a distinctive triangular/angled bow and grooved winding crown.

Research qualifications

  • Movement caliber and internal dust cover inscriptions are noted in the auction catalog but are not visible in the primary dial photograph.
  • Retailer signatures and engraved provenance texts are source-reported.

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

PATEK PHILIPPE, 18K OPEN-FACE POCKET WATCH, | Christie’s

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record ae371a437b

Terms in this record

Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.

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