Pocket watch · Keyless moon phase astronomical pocket watch with perpetual calendar

Patek Philippe Astronomical Keyless Pocket Watch

Partially verified

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.

Front view of the 18K pink gold Patek Philippe keyless astronomical watch, showing the white enamel dial with perpetual calendar subsidiary dials and moon phase aperture. — Antiquorum. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source: catalog.antiquorum.swiss
Category: Pocket watch · Keyless moon phase astronomical pocket watch with perpetual calendar
Maker / attribution: Patek Philippe & Cie.
Reference: Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier: 118
Source-reported date: 1878
Source-reported place: Switzerland
Source-reported serial: 48280

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

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.

Evidence for this section

“Very fine 18K pink gold, moon phase astronomical, keyless watch with perpetual calendar.”
“Four body, massive, "bassine", polished with inset hinges, hinged gold cuvette.”
“White enamel with Roman numerals, outer minutes ring, sunk subsidiary dials for days of the week, months, clays of the week, subsidiary seconds with inner red date ring, moon phase aperture with its age on the border.”

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.

Evidence for this section

“gilt brass, 18 jewels, straight line lever escapement "a moustaches", Breguet balance spring.”
“Signed on the dial and movement”

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.

Evidence for this section

“retailer signature on the dial and cuvette.”
“Accompanied by Extract from the Archives.”
“Grading System Grade: AAA Excellent”

Open research questions

Who was A. Maurer, and were they an authorized retailer for Patek Philippe?
What specific technical modifications define the 'a moustaches' lever escapement in this 1878 movement?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Patek Philippe Astronomical Keyless Pocket Watch
Field	Source-reported value	Source quotation
Maker	Patek Philippe & Cie., Geneve	“Patek Philippe & Cie., Geneve”
Serial Number	48280	“No. 48280”
Manufacturing Date	1878	“made in 1878”
Case Material	18K pink gold	“18K pink gold”
Case Dimensions	52 mm	“Diam. 52 mm”
Movement Jewels	18	“18 jewels”
Escapement	straight line lever escapement 'a moustaches'	“straight line lever escapement "a moustaches”
Retailer History	Sold to A. Maurer on 3 March 1884	“sold to A. Maurer on 3 March 1884”

Visible details

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

Research qualifications

Retailer identity is not explicitly linked to the signature name on the dial
Exact nature of the 'a moustaches' escapement adjustment is not described

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

Consulted source

Patek Philippe & Cie., Geneve, No. 48280, made in 1878, sold to A. Maurer on 3 March 1884. Very fine 18K pink gold, moon phase astronomical, keyless watch with perpetual calendar.

Reviewed 2026-10-26 · Record 67a151d3c5

Terms in this record

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