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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Open-face pocket watch

Patek Philippe open face pocket watch

Partially verified

According to Christie's, this open-face pocket watch by Patek Philippe dates to circa 1914 and is housed in an 18k gold bassine case measuring 45 mm in diameter. It features a cream-colored two-piece enamel dial with bold black Roman numerals, an outer minute track, and a subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o'clock. Time is indicated by blued steel spade hands. The auction house reports it is powered by a manual-wind caliber 17''' movement with time-only functions. The edge of the cuvette is engraved for retailer W.F. Fischer of Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Front view of the Patek Philippe open-face pocket watch showing the enamel dial and 18k gold case
Front view of the Patek Philippe open-face pocket watch showing the enamel dial and 18k gold case — 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
69
Source-reported date
circa 1914
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 Construction and Exterior Form

The timepiece is an open-face pocket watch presented in an 18k yellow gold bassine-style case measuring 45 mm in diameter, oriented with a top-mounted winding crown and bow. According to Christie's description, the internal cuvette (dust cover) bears an engraved retailer attribution along its edge, though this detail is not visible in the published frontal photograph.

The cataloguer notes standard signs of handling, recording that the case displays scratches and minor surface wear, alongside a slight dent located on the inside of the dust cover.

Evidence for this section
  • “CASE MATERIAL: 18k gold”
  • “CASE DIAMETER: 45mm”
  • “The two-piece enamel dial with bold Roman numerals elevates this bassine cased pocket watch to a new level.”
  • “This watch was originally retailed by W.F. Fischer in Chattanooga, Tennessee, this is engraved on the edge of the cuvette (dust cover).”
  • “The case is in good condition with scratches and shows minor surface wear. The dust cover has a slight dent on the inside.”

Dial Configuration and Display

The watch features a cream-colored two-piece enamel dial signed 'PATEK, PHILIPPE & CIE GENEVA, SWITZERLAND' beneath the 12 o'clock marker. Time is indicated by black Roman numerals surrounded by an outer minute track, with running seconds tracked via a subsidiary register at 6 o'clock marked with Arabic numerals at ten-second intervals.

Hours, minutes, and subsidiary seconds are indicated by blued steel hands, with spade hands used for the primary hours and minutes. Christie's condition notes report that the dial and hands appear original, with the dial exhibiting developed patina and appearing free of cracks.

Evidence for this section
  • “DIAL: Cream colored enamel”
  • “Dial signed 'PATEK, PHILIPPE & CIE GENEVA, SWITZERLAND'”
  • “Blued steel spade hour and minute hands and blued subsidiary seconds hand”
  • “Subsidiary seconds register positioned at 6 o'clock with Arabic numerals at ten-second intervals”
  • “The dial and hands appear to be original and has developed patina. The dial appears to have no cracks.”

Movement Specifications and Archival Context

Internal operation relies on a reported manual-wind caliber 17''' time-only movement. The movement itself is not shown in the provided photograph, but the auction house lists the movement as in working order at the time of cataloguing without testing for precision.

Documentation accompanying the watch includes an Extract from the Archives confirming a 1914 manufacture date and a sale date of November 30, 1915. Furthermore, the cuvette engraving links the historic distribution to retailer W.F. Fischer in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Evidence for this section
  • “MOVEMENT: Manual”
  • “FUNCTIONS: Time only”
  • “CALIBER: 17'''”
  • “The movement is in working order at the time of cataloging, consistent with the age of the watch. The movement has not been tested for accuracy.”
  • “ACCESSORIES: Extract from the Archives confirming manufacture date of 1914 and sale date of November 30, 1915”
  • “This watch was originally retailed by W.F. Fischer in Chattanooga, Tennessee, this is engraved on the edge of the cuvette (dust cover).”

Open research questions

  • What specific movement serial number and case serial number are recorded on the caliber and case, and do they match the Extract from the Archives?
  • What is the exact wording and styling of the retailer engraving for W.F. Fischer on the edge of the cuvette?
  • What are the specific movement details (such as jewel count and adjustment stamps) of this caliber 17'''?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Patek Philippe open face pocket watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Circa1914“CIRCA: 1914”
Case Material18k gold“CASE MATERIAL: 18k gold”
Case Diameter45mm“CASE DIAMETER: 45mm”
DialCream colored enamel“DIAL: Cream colored enamel”
Caliber17'''“CALIBER: 17'''”
RetailerW.F. Fischer“This watch was originally retailed by W.F. Fischer in Chattanooga, Tennessee”
Original Sale DateNovember 30, 1915“sale date of November 30, 1915”
Accompanying DocumentationExtract from the Archives“ACCESSORIES: Extract from the Archives confirming manufacture date of 1914 and sale date of November 30, 1915”

Visible details

  • Open-face yellow gold case with top-mounted winding crown and bow
  • Blued steel spade hour and minute hands and blued subsidiary seconds hand
  • Dial signed 'PATEK, PHILIPPE & CIE GENEVA, SWITZERLAND'
  • Subsidiary seconds register positioned at 6 o'clock with Arabic numerals at ten-second intervals

Research qualifications

  • Movement and interior case back/cuvette are not shown in the provided photograph
  • Retailer engraving on the edge of the cuvette is not visible in the provided image

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

Consulted source

PATEK PHILIPPE, OPEN FACE POCKET WATCH, | Christie’s

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 48af1ad104

Terms in this record

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

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