Ladies Patek Philippe 18ct White Gold & Diamonds 1968

Patek Philippe

Simply the finest watch money can buy.

Even today, Patek Philippe’s extraordinary care and commitment to perfection mean it takes almost a year to manufacture even its simplest watch movement.

Some significant moments in watchmaking since 1839 …

– 1839 Antoine Patek began producing about 200 high quality pocket watches per year
– 1845 Patek & Co. Partnership founded in Geneva with Jean Adrien Philippe, Technical Director
– 1846 Tiffany & Co. New York, Tiffany appoints Patek Philippe as its principal supplier of pocket watches
– 1857 Universal Exposition, London, Queen Victoria and Prince Albert buy a timepiece, shooting Patek to international fame
– 1867 the company produces the world’s first wristwatch
– 1927 the company produces the world’s first perpetual calendar wristwatch
– 1941 the company produces the world’s first perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch
– 1962 the company produces the world’s first automatic, perpetual calendar wristwatch

It is said that fewer than 1 million Patek Philippe watches have been made since its first watch was completed in 1839. This is fewer than some high-end Swiss manufacturers (notably Rolex) produce in one year. In fact, the company limits itself to producing less than 50,000 watches per year, even though it is estimated by watch market analysts, the company could sell ten times this figure. Patek production is so precise, detailed and intricate, it takes almost a year to complete its most basic watch and more than two years to produce many of the more complicated timepieces.

Patek’s vintage complications hold more world record prices at auction than any other brand. Landmark models include the Patek model ref. 1518 – the world’s first serially produced perpetual calendar chronograph – and its successor, the Patek ref. 2499. Other famous models include perpetual calendars such as the refs. 1526, ref. 3448 and 3450.

We associate Patek Philippe with the very best, but also understated elegance, craftsmanship, heritage, exquisite design, perfection and precision, and of course, total confidence and commitment in everything it does.

Description

Here we have a fine example of a Ladies Patek Philippe model reference 3293/1, 20 jewel hand-wound dress watch in 18ct white gold and carries a beautiful diamond bezel. This is a 16mm diameter watch which in the 1960s would have been considered a standard size for a vintage ladies Patek. The incredible white dial is original, unrestored and untouched.

The Dial

The original, unrestored and untouched white dial with applied gilt white ‘pencil’ hour indices, is, as can be seen in the close-up photographs, in superb condition. The dial is complete with its original ‘index’ style hands which are also tip-top, especially considering the age of the watch.

At 16mm diameter, excluding the crown, this is quite a small watch in comparison with most others, however the white dial, gilt hands and gilt baton hour indices make the dial easy to read, even at arm’s length.

The dial is simply and correctly signed ‘Patek Philippe’ with ‘Genève’ just below at 12.

As the dial is original and unrestored, this has been left untouched by our restoration team due to its superb condition. Usually, we restore the dials of the watches we sell, however we decided in this case to leave it alone, due to its unusually good condition and to retain its originality and charm for those who prefer this. It also helps to contrast with almost all of the other watch dials you see on our website, which have been restored. The hands, likewise, have also been left in their original condition.

Please note, studio lights, professional-grade digital cameras, and macro lenses can be very unkind to an unrestored vintage watch dial. Also the dial here measures less than 1.25 inches across, so the image you’re seeing may be between 5 – 25 times larger than the watch itself. Therefore please keep in mind you are seeing many tiny flaws which cannot be seen, or will be very hard to see with the naked eye, even under close examination. Suffice to say, on the wrist, in natural light, this dial looks much better and carries a great deal more charm than the photographs portray.

Movement

The super high-grade Patek Philippe, 20 Jewel hand-wound movement is in incredibly clean and sparkling condition and has just been fully overhauled and serviced by our expert vintage Patek Philippe specialist watchmaker.

This means dismantling the movement to each of its component parts, careful inspection under high magnification, replacement where necessary with only genuine parts, then careful reassembly and adjustment, before final calibration in 5 positions. The movement winds, sets and runs accurately and reliably and at final testing and calibration, it was running within +6 seconds per day, averaged over 5 positions. This is truly outstanding for any watch of this age. We are therefore highly confident in offering our 12-month warranty* with this watch.

The movement is correctly signed ‘Patek Philippe & Co’, ‘Geneve’ and ‘Twenty 20 Jewels’ with the movement serial number 984071, which dates this watch to 1968.

*Please note – our 12 months’ warranty is only applicable if the list price is paid.

The Case

The 18ct white gold case carries a beautiful diamond bezel and measures 16mm x 16mm, excluding the correct Patek Philippe signed crown. Please note, the size of the winding crown may look overly large in certain photographs. This is because the watch is small in comparison and the crown needs to be of an adequate size in order to wind it. However please be assured, it is the correct original Patek Philippe crown for this watch.

The condition of the two-piece case is outstanding, indicating the watch has seen only light and careful use. It is as sturdy and tight as the day it was made, with its two halves pressing together with a very firm click and there are no scratches, other marks, or signs of wear visible to the naked eye.

Inside the case is all correctly signed and as expected: ‘Patek-Philippe’, ‘Geneve’ and ‘Swiss’, with Swiss 18ct hallmarks, the model reference 3293/1 and the case serial number 2627466.

This watch has been exceptionally well cared for and so the case has simply required a clean, a thorough inspection, and then a gentle hand-polish to bring it back to its current ‘like new’ condition with no scratches, dings or dimples, or other forms of damage visible to the naked eye.

Please note – our standard advice applies: Vintage watches should be kept clean and dry at all times.

The Bracelet

The original integral Patek Philippe signed bracelet is also in matching solid 18ct white gold. The bracelet is in incredible condition, showing no signs of wear or damage visible to the naked eye.

The Patek Philippe signed clasp and lock, provide an adjustment of 0.6 centimetres, either way, meaning the watch will fit a wrist size 15.9cm – 16.5cm. Please note, the watch and bracelet can be tailored for a smaller wrist, however this will take some time and will involve a nominal extra charge, however making this bracelet larger would not be possible.

The bracelet is, as expected, superbly made and quite weighty and substantial. It is also in wonderful condition. While the links do not stretch, they are just flexible enough to hug the wrist beautifully with no gaps or unevenness in any of the links.

Box and Papers

Although there are no original papers with this watch, the reference numbers, markings, signatures and hallmarks are all correct, dating this watch to 1968.

Detailed particulars will be included with our purchase receipt for your interest and security. A separate insurance valuation for the replacement value of this watch will also be provided at the time of sale along with our unique ‘Lifetime Authenticity Guarantee’ which states: “If this watch proves to be anything less than 100% genuine, authentic and original, a full refund will be given at any time”.

The watch comes complete with the original Patek Philippe presentation box as shown in the photographs.

Payment and Delivery

If you would like to pay by bank transfer, we will be pleased to assist you with this. Similarly, if you wish to pay by International SWIFT or Bank Wire Transfer we will provide you with our BIC / Swift number and our IBAN number.

Please check the import duties and any taxes your government may apply, these are different for each country and, unfortunately, out of our control.

We understand there may be some ‘loopholes’ that may help you avoid these charges; however, attempting to use these could impact our ongoing ability to serve our growing international customer base.

For those who happen to visit London on occasion, we are, of course, more than happy to store your watch until we can meet you in our offices in Kensington, London, and hand your watch directly to you there.

As with all our watches, this watch will be sold under our 14 days no-quibble sale or return policy.