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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Minute repeating pocket watch

Patek Philippe Ref. 876 Large Minute Repeater

Partially verified

This Patek Philippe & Cie pocket watch, reference 876, is a keyless minute-repeater housed in an 18K yellow gold "bassine" case. The watch has a distinct production history, with the movement originally made in 1912, followed by completion and casing in 1975, and a subsequent sale in 1976. The dial is white enamel, featuring black Breguet numerals, an outer minute track, and a subsidiary seconds dial, paired with blued steel spade hands. The movement is a rhodium-plated calibre decorated with fausses cotes, incorporating 31 jewels, wolf’s tooth winding, and a counterpoised straight-line lever escapement. It features a cut bimetallic compensation balance adjusted for heat, cold, isochronism, and five positions. The watch includes a swan-neck micrometer regulator and a repeating mechanism on gongs, operated via a slide on the case band. The diameter measures 56 mm with a thickness of 15 mm.

A 18K yellow gold Patek Philippe minute-repeating pocket watch, reference 876, shown with its movement exposed.
A 18K yellow gold Patek Philippe minute-repeating pocket watch, reference 876, shown with its movement exposed. — Antiquorum. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
catalog.antiquorum.swiss
Category
Pocket watch · Minute repeating pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Patek Philippe & Cie
Reference
876
Catalogue / lot identifier
350
Source-reported date
1912 (movement), 1975 (cased)
Source-reported place
Switzerland
Source-reported serial
174090

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

The watch is housed in an 18K yellow gold case, described in the records as a three-body "bassine" polished housing. The aesthetic follows a traditional configuration for a large minute-repeater of this stature, maintaining a 56 mm diameter and 15 mm thickness. The slide mechanism for activating the repeating gongs is integrated into the side of the case band.

The dial is composed of white enamel and displays black Breguet-style numerals for hour indication. It is complemented by an outer minute track and a dedicated subsidiary seconds dial. The time is indicated by blued steel spade hands, providing high contrast against the white enamel surface. The dial, case, and movement are all signed by Patek Philippe & Cie.

Evidence for this section
  • “Three-body, ?bassine,? polished.”
  • “White enamel with Breguet numerals, outer minute track, subsidiary seconds dial. Blued steel spade hands.”
  • “Dial, case and movement signed.”

Movement and Escapement

The movement is a rhodium-plated calibre, identified as Cal. 19???, featuring traditional fausses cotes decoration. The construction includes 31 jewels and utilizes a wolf’s tooth winding system for the mainspring. The escapement is a counterpoised straight-line lever type, regulated by a cut bimetallic compensation balance. This balance is adjusted for heat, cold, isochronism, and five positions to ensure precision.

Regulation of the movement is managed by a swan-neck micrometer regulator, and the timepiece is equipped with a blued steel Breguet balance spring. The repeating mechanism operates on gongs activated by the external slide.

The production timeline for the calibre is notable; while the movement was originally manufactured in 1912, it remained un-cased for several decades until it was completed and finished in 1975.

Evidence for this section
  • “Cal. 19???, rhodium-plated, fausses cotes decoration, 31 jewels, wolf?s tooth winding”
  • “counterpoised straight-line lever escapement, cut bimetallic compensation balance adjusted to heat, cold, isochronism and five positions”
  • “Movement made in 1912, completed and cased in 1975”

Provenance and Documentation

The watch is accompanied by an Extract from the Archives, providing verification of its production and sale details. The record confirms the disparate dates between the movement's inception in 1912 and its completion in 1975. The watch was officially sold on April 29, 1976.

The grading system applied to the watch, which is identified as Lot 350, characterizes the overall quality as AAA Excellent.

Evidence for this section
  • “Accompanied by the Extract from the Archives.”
  • “sold on April 29, 1976.”
  • “Grading System Grade: AAA Excellent”
  • “Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense”

Open research questions

  • What specific calibre designation corresponds to the 'Cal. 19???' listed in the documentation?
  • Why was the movement kept for over 60 years between initial manufacture and final casing?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Patek Philippe Ref. 876 Large Minute Repeater
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerPatek Philippe & Cie“Patek Philippe & Cie”
Reference876“Ref. 876”
Movement Serial Number174090“No. 174090”
Case Serial Number332855“case No. 332855”
Material18K yellow gold“18K yellow gold”
Case StyleBassine“Three-body, ?bassine,? polished.”
Jewel Count31“31 jewels”
Diameter56 mm“Diam. 56 mm.”
Date of SaleApril 29, 1976“sold on April 29, 1976.”

Visible details

  • White enamel dial with Breguet numerals and a subsidiary seconds indicator.
  • Movement features rhodium plating with fausses cotes decorative finish.
  • Minute repeating mechanism is engaged by a slide located on the side of the gold case.
  • The movement displays wolf's tooth winding and a swan-neck micrometer regulator.

Research qualifications

  • The source lists the movement as 'Cal. 19???' indicating uncertainty regarding the specific calibre designation.
  • The auction report recommends an overhaul of the movement, though no specific mechanical faults are detailed.

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

Consulted source

Large Minute Repeater Patek Philippe & Cie, Genève, No. 174090, case No. 332855, Ref. 876. Movement made in 1912, completed and cased in 1975, sold on April 29, 1976. Very fine, large, minute-repeating, 18K yellow gold, keyless pocket watch. Accompanied by the Extract from the Archives.

Reviewed 2026-10-26 · Record f16027a896

Terms in this record

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

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