Geneva, May 12, 2024
PATEK PHILIPPE, SWITZERLAND, REF. 605 HU DE, WORLD TIME CLOISONNÉ "WORLD", 18K PINK GOLD
An exceptional, fresh to the market, possibly unique, 18k pink gold, manual wind cloisonné world time pocket watch
Very good
Slightly scratched
Very good
Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Very good
Slightly scratched
HANDS Original
Brand Patek Philippe, switzerland
Model World Time Cloisonné "World"
Reference 605 HU DE
Year 1943, sold in November 1946
Movement No. 930364
Case No. 636404
Diameter 44
Caliber 17'''170HU
Signature dial, case and movement
Accessories fitted box, extract from the archives
PATEK PHILIPPE "WORLD TIME". This system was invented circa 1935 by Louis Cottier (1894-1966), famous independent watchmaker in Geneva. This system was used by Patek Philippe and also by other major names in the Swiss watch industry, such as Agassiz, Rolex and Vacheron Constantin. Ref. 605 HU was produced between the 1940s and 1960s, and is a series of dress watches bearing the names of approximately 30 to 41 cities in the world on the revolving bezel. Some examples have a matte silvered dial or black dial; others have a cloisonné enamel dial. They were made as follows: - in pink gold, with silvered guilloché dial - in pink gold, with translucent enamel dial - in pink gold, with cloisonné enamel dial representing various continents. Research has shown that only 2 other examples were known with this "World time motif" making this one only the third known and the only one cased in pink gold.
This unknown, fresh to the market example is an historical piece in the sense that it is the first example known to the market featuring an enamel cloisonné dial representing the world in pink gold. Indeed with a movement number of 930'364 and manufactured in 1943, it precedes the unique 605 HU Neptune (movement number 930'365). This makes this example the earliest pink cloisonné world time known to the market as of today. Confirming its private provenance are the matching movement numbers that are engraved on the back of the dial, the movement ring, the world time disk, the case numbers repeated on the inner bezel and also on the inner bow.
Not only does it feature early hands (similar to other exceptional unique references 605 like the Neptune World Time currently part of the Patek Philippe collection) that were also hand made by Louis Cottier, but it also features a unique combination of enamel colours (blue and orange), unseen on any other example.
To further enhance its collectability it is housed in a pink gold case. Kept unused in a safe, its overall condition is close to mint featuring mint and deep hallmarks and a mint cloisonné dial featuring no repairs or restorations.
Undoubtably one of the most important world time pocket watches ever to appear on the market.
