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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Open-face pocket watch

Patek Philippe Steel Sector Dial Pocket Watch, Ref. 651

Partially verified

This is a vintage stainless steel open-face pocket watch by Patek Philippe, catalogued as reference 651 and dated circa 1937. According to source details, an accompanying Extract from the Archives confirms manufacture in 1937 and sale on February 16, 1938. The watch features a 46 mm round steel case housing a manual-wind caliber 17'''25/12 movement. Its two-tone silvered sector dial displays Arabic numerals at 12, 3, and 9 o'clock, raised steel rectangular hour markers, an outer minute track, and a subsidiary seconds subdial at 6 o'clock.

Patek Philippe reference 651 stainless steel open-face pocket watch with two-tone sector dial
Patek Philippe reference 651 stainless steel open-face pocket watch with two-tone sector dial — 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
651
Catalogue / lot identifier
54
Source-reported date
circa 1937
Country
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

Identity and Archival Provenance

This open-face pocket watch is catalogued by the auctioneer as Patek Philippe reference 651 and dated circa 1937. According to source details, the watch is accompanied by a Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming a manufacture date of 1937 and a sale date of February 16, 1938.

The auction condition report states that the dial, case, and movement are signed Patek Philippe. Internal movement and case serial numbers are not recorded in this source.

Evidence for this section
  • “REF. 651”
  • “CIRCA: 1937”
  • “ACCESSORIES: Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming manufacture date of 1937 and sale date of February 16, 1938”
  • “The dial, case, and movement are signed Patek Philippe.”

Case Form and Dial Layout

The watch features a stainless steel case measuring 46 mm in diameter. Observation shows an open-face construction fitted with a top winding crown and an articulated oval bow.

The dial is described in cataloguing as a silvered sector two-tone dial. The lot essay notes that Arabic numerals are present at 12, 3, and 9 o'clock, with the remaining hour markers represented as raised steel rectangles. Direct observation confirms the dial is signed 'PATEK, PHILIPPE & CIE GENÈVE' below 12 o'clock and incorporates a subsidiary seconds register at 6 o'clock with a blued steel hand.

Evidence for this section
  • “CASE MATERIAL: Stainless steel”
  • “CASE DIAMETER: 46mm”
  • “DIAL: Silvered sector two-tone”
  • “Open-face stainless steel case with top winding crown and articulated oval bow”
  • “Arabic numerals are present at 12, 3, and 9. The rest are of the hour markers are represented as raised steel rectangles.”
  • “Silvered two-tone sector dial signed 'PATEK, PHILIPPE & CIE GENÈVE' below 12 o'clock”
  • “Concentric inner sector ring and subsidiary seconds register at 6 o'clock with a blued steel hand”

Reported Movement and Physical Condition

Cataloguing lists a manual movement running caliber 17'''25/12. The seller's condition report states the movement was in working order at the time of cataloging, but notes it was not tested for accuracy. Movement components are not visible in the provided lot image.

The case is reported by the seller to have scratches and a few nicks, with the front and back showing evidence of being opened. The dial, hands, and hour markers have developed patina; the dial also has scratches, including two larger scratches near the outer edge between 8 and 9 o'clock and between 11 and 12 o'clock, alongside apparent corrosion to the outer edge.

Evidence for this section
  • “CALIBER: 17'''25/12”
  • “MOVEMENT: Manual”
  • “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.”
  • “The case is in good condition with scratches and few nicks. The front and back of the case show evidence of being opened.”
  • “The dial, hands, and hour markers have developed patina. The dial has some scratches. There are two larger scratches near the outer edge of the dial between 8 and 9 o'clock, and 11 and 12 o'clock. There appears to be some corrosion to the outer edge of the dial.”

Open research questions

  • What specific case and movement serial numbers are documented on the accompanying Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives?
  • What case-maker and metal purity hallmarks are stamped on the interior case back of this reference 651?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Patek Philippe Steel Sector Dial Pocket Watch, Ref. 651
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Reference651“REF. 651”
Circa Date1937“CIRCA: 1937”
Case MaterialStainless steel“CASE MATERIAL: Stainless steel”
Case Diameter46mm“CASE DIAMETER: 46mm”
DialSilvered sector two-tone“DIAL: Silvered sector two-tone”
Caliber17'''25/12“CALIBER: 17'''25/12”
MovementManual“MOVEMENT: Manual”
Archives ConfirmationManufacture 1937, sale February 16, 1938“ACCESSORIES: Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming manufacture date of 1937 and sale date of February 16, 1938”
SignaturesDial, case, and movement signed Patek Philippe“The dial, case, and movement are signed Patek Philippe.”
Case Opening MarksFront and back show evidence of opening“The front and back of the case show evidence of being opened.”
Dial Condition NotesPatina, scratches (larger scratches at 8–9 and 11–12 o'clock), and outer edge corrosion“There are two larger scratches near the outer edge of the dial between 8 and 9 o'clock, and 11 and 12 o'clock. There appears to be some corrosion to the outer edge of the dial.”

Visible details

  • Open-face stainless steel case with top winding crown and articulated oval bow
  • Silvered two-tone sector dial signed 'PATEK, PHILIPPE & CIE GENÈVE' below 12 o'clock
  • Steel Arabic hour numerals at 12, 3, and 9 o'clock accompanied by raised rectangular hour indexes
  • Concentric inner sector ring and subsidiary seconds register at 6 o'clock with a blued steel hand

Research qualifications

  • Movement and interior case backs are not visible in the provided image
  • Source notes surface scratches, edge corrosion on the dial, and signs of opening on the case

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

Consulted source

PATEK PHILIPPE, STEEL SECTOR DIAL POCKET WATCH, REF. 651, | Christie’s

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 574b94c896

Terms in this record

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

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