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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Keyless pocket watch

Patek Philippe & Cie. Keyless Pocket Watch, No. 9662

Partially verified

This 18 ct. gold keyless pocket watch, bearing movement and case number 9662, is attributed to Patek Philippe & Cie., Genève, and dates to circa 1856. The watch was produced for the retailer Jones, Shreve & Co. of Boston. It features a four-body "bassine et filets" case adorned with a detailed feather pattern engraving and a small back escutcheon. The timepiece utilizes an early stem-winding system developed by Adrien Philippe, referenced by French Patent No. 1317 from 1845. The movement is constructed of gilt brass, contains 12 jewels, and is equipped with a cylinder escapement, a plain three-arm gilt brass balance, and a flat balance spring. The white enamel dial is set with Roman numerals and an offset subsidiary seconds dial. The watch measures 45 mm in diameter and retains blued steel Breguet hands.

Back view of the 18 ct. gold case featuring the feather pattern engraving and central escutcheon.
Back view of the 18 ct. gold case featuring the feather pattern engraving and central escutcheon. — Antiquorum. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
catalog.antiquorum.swiss
Category
Pocket watch · Keyless pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Patek Philippe & Cie.
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
276
Source-reported date
circa 1856
Source-reported place
Switzerland
Source-reported serial
9662

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 External Construction

The timepiece is housed in a four-body 18 ct. gold case described as "bassine et filets". The exterior is fully decorated with an intricate feather pattern engraving, which covers the surface of the watch case. A small, unadorned escutcheon is set into the center of the case back.

Internally, the watch includes a gold cuvette that features an engine-turned border. The winding mechanism utilizes the earliest type of stem-winding system, a feature attributed to the invention by Adrien Philippe as documented in French Patent No. 1317, dated 22 April 1845.

Evidence for this section
  • “18 ct. gold early keyless watch.”
  • “Four body,"bassine et filets", fully engraved in a feather pattern, a small escutcheon on the back.”
  • “Gold cuvette, engine turned on the border.”
  • “Earliest type of stem winding as invented by Adrien Philippe”

Dial and Movement Details

The white enamel dial displays Roman numerals for the hours and an offset subsidiary seconds dial. Time is indicated by a set of blued steel Breguet hands. The auction description notes the presence of a hairline on the enamel surface.

The 16-line movement is crafted from gilt brass and contains 12 jewels. It operates with a cylinder escapement, a plain gilt brass three-arm balance, and a flat balance spring. The watch is signed on both the dial and the internal cuvette.

Evidence for this section
  • “White enamel with Roman numerals and offset sunk subsidiary seconds (hair line).”
  • “Blued steel Breguet hands.”
  • “16-, gilt brass, 12 jewels, cylinder escapement, plain gilt brass three arm balance, flat balance spring.”
  • “Signed on the dial and cuvette.”

Provenance and Documentation

The object was manufactured for the retailer Jones, Shreve & Co., based in Boston. The provenance and production date of the watch are established as circa 1856. The watch is identified by the serial number 9662, which is applied to both the movement and the case.

The auction description states that the object is in good condition, although it notes the specific presence of a hairline on the dial. The watch was produced in Geneva by Patek Philippe & Cie.

Evidence for this section
  • “made for Jones, Shreve & Co., Boston, circa 1856.”
  • “No. 9662, case No.9662”
  • “In good condition.”

Open research questions

  • What is the complete extent of the 'feather pattern' coverage on the case edges?
  • Does the serial number 9662 correspond to Patek Philippe's manufacturing records from 1856?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Patek Philippe & Cie. Keyless Pocket Watch, No. 9662
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerPatek Philippe & Cie.“Patek Philippe & Cie.”
Serial Number9662“No. 9662”
RetailerJones, Shreve & Co., Boston“made for Jones, Shreve & Co., Boston”
Case Material18 ct. gold“18 ct. gold”
EscapementCylinder“cylinder escapement”
Winding SystemEarly stem-winding“Earliest type of stem winding”
Diameter45 mm“Diam. 45 mm.”

Visible details

  • Four-body case with feather pattern engraving
  • Small escutcheon located on the case back
  • White enamel dial with Roman numerals
  • Blued steel Breguet hands

Research qualifications

  • Hairline present on the white enamel dial
  • Attribution to Jones, Shreve & Co. represents a retailer association

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

Consulted source

Patek Philippe & Cie., Genève, No. 9662, case No.9662, made for Jones, Shreve & Co., Boston, circa 1856. Fine 18 ct. gold early keyless watch.

Reviewed 2026-10-26 · Record 0e136ee9cf

Terms in this record

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

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