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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Open-face pocket watch

Patek Philippe Lépine open-face pocket watch, reference 733

Partially verified

This is an open-face 'Lépine'-style stainless steel pocket watch by Patek Philippe, catalogued under reference 733 and dated by the source to circa 1942. The two-piece stainless steel case measures 48 mm in diameter with a thickness of 9.6 mm including the crystal, featuring a snap-on back. According to the seller, it houses the 17'''250 caliber movement equipped with Côtes de Genève finishing, a swan-neck micrometer regulator, and a double Geneva Seal. The matte silver dial features applied gold Roman numerals at 3, 9, and 12 alongside baton hour markers, an outer beaded minute track, and a subsidiary seconds subdial at 6 o'clock.

Front view of the Patek Philippe reference 733 open-face pocket watch on a clear stand
Front view of the Patek Philippe reference 733 open-face pocket watch on a clear stand — Proantic / Pascal karp Watches Expertise. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.proantic.com
Category
Pocket watch · Open-face pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Patek Philippe
Reference
733
Catalogue / lot identifier
1840130
Source-reported date
circa 1942
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

Case and External Construction

This Patek Philippe reference 733 is a Lépine-style open-face pocket watch featuring a stainless steel construction. It is designed with a two-piece case and a clipped back, measuring 48 mm in diameter and 9.6 mm in thickness including the crystal.

The watch is observed with a top-mounted winding crown and bow. In the available images, it is displayed on a clear acrylic stand with a red tag attached.

Evidence for this section
  • “Patek Philippe “Lepine”-style pocket watch in stainless steel, reference 733”
  • “two-piece case with a clipped back”
  • “Dimensions: 48 mm x 9.6 mm (including the crystal)”

Dial Configuration

The dial is described as matte silver and features a signature 'PATEK, PHILIPPE & CIE GENEVE' below the 12 o'clock position. The hour markers consist of applied gold-tone Roman numerals at 3, 9, and 12 o'clock, with applied baton markers at the remaining positions.

A subsidiary seconds register is positioned above 6 o'clock, featuring a sunken track. The dial also includes enameled inscriptions.

Evidence for this section
  • “Matte silver dial with applied gold baton hour markers and Roman numerals”
  • “Light silver or cream dial signed 'PATEK, PHILIPPE & CIE GENEVE' below 12 o'clock.”
  • “Subsidiary seconds register above the 6 o'clock position with a sunken track.”
  • “enameled inscriptions”

Mechanism and Provenance Claims

The seller states the watch is powered by a 17'''250 caliber movement. Reported features include a swan-neck micrometer regulator, Côtes de Genève finishing, and a double Geneva Seal. The seller claims the case and movement are signed and numbered.

The availability of the manufacturer's archive extract and the original box is cited by the seller. These internal components and documentation were not visible or independently verified in the provided images.

Evidence for this section
  • “equipped with the exquisite 17'''250 caliber”
  • “featuring a swan-neck micrometer regulator and “Côtes de Genève” finishes, with a double Geneva Seal.”
  • “case and movement are signed and numbered.”
  • “comes with its original case and an extract from the manufacturer’s archives.”

Open research questions

  • Do the serial numbers on the case and movement correspond to the 1942 production date cited in the seller-provided archive extract?
  • Can the Presence of the Geneva Seal be confirmed via movement imagery?
  • What specific production quantity records exist for the reference 733 in stainless steel?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Patek Philippe Lépine open-face pocket watch, reference 733
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Reference733“reference 733, circa 1942”
Caliber17'''250“equipped with the exquisite 17'''250 caliber”
Case materialStainless steel“Patek Philippe “Lepine”-style pocket watch in stainless steel”
Case dimensions48 mm x 9.6 mm (including the crystal)“Dimensions: 48 mm x 9.6 mm (including the crystal)”
Dial descriptionMatte silver with applied gold baton markers and Roman numerals“Matte silver dial with applied gold baton hour markers and Roman numerals”
Dated Periodcirca 1942“circa 1942”

Visible details

  • Light silver or cream dial signed 'PATEK, PHILIPPE & CIE GENEVE' below 12 o'clock.
  • Applied gold-tone Roman numerals at 3, 9, and 12 o'clock, with applied baton markers at remaining hour positions.
  • Subsidiary seconds register above the 6 o'clock position with a sunken track.
  • Smooth bezel stainless steel case with top-mounted winding crown, bow, and red tag.
  • Watch displayed upright on a clear acrylic stand against a wood-grain surface with watch service paper visible to the right.

Research qualifications

  • Movement and interior case back are not visible in the provided image; caliber 17'''250, Côtes de Genève finish, and Geneva Seal are source-reported.
  • Archive extract and original box cited by the seller are not fully depicted or verified independently.

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

Consulted source

Proantic: Patek Philippe Lepine "open Face" Stainless Steel-1942-

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 49558ca8a0

Terms in this record

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

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