Not one but two double-signed Patek Philippe watches bearing the Gübelin signature along with that of the manufactory, caused quite a stir at international auctions in November. A unique Nautilus Jumbo, Ref. 3700/1 sold for CHF 2,540,500 at Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo. At Koller Auctions, the Patek Philippe Ref. 1599, believed to be the only one of its kind, came under the hammer and went for CHF 387 500.
Double-signed
Patek Philippe watches are incredibly rare and highly sought-after. “Double-signed” specimens are even more so. These are watches which feature a pair of signatures. In this case, timepieces whose dial also bears the Gübelin trade signature. In November, not one but two of these rarities caused watch connoisseurs’ hearts to skip a beat at major auctions.
Patek Philippe Ref. 3700/1, double-signed Gübelin
The Nautilus is considered one of Patek Philippe’s iconic models and is without a doubt among the most sought-after watches in the world. The Ref. 3700/1 in platinum is especially rare; only three specimens of this model are known to exist. A double-signed specimen was recently sold during Phillips’ sale: The Geneva Watch Auction: XVIII. Displaying the signatures of both Patek Philippe and Gübelin on its dial, this specimen from 1978 is one of a kind, which lends an extraordinary status to the already quite rare reference. With a diameter of 42 mm, this model is classified as a Jumbo. This Nautilus model in platinum is in excellent condition. The watch is accompanied by an «Extract from the Archives» from Patek Philippe, as well as an «Extract from the Archives» from the House of Gübelin, which was founded in 1854. At the auction held by Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo in Geneva on November 4th, the watch went for CHF 2,540,500 CHF with buyer’s premium, more than two-and-a-half times the low estimate.
Patek Philippe Ref. 1599, double-signed Gübelin
Koller Auctions held another highlight in store when they offered the only known model of the Patek Philippe Ref. 1599. This sensational recent discovery in platinum with a distinctive housing and silver-plated two-tone dial is in excellent condition. This timepiece also features the signatures of both the Geneva manufactory and the Lucerne watch retailer. The watch is accompanied by an «Extract from the Archives» from Patek Philippe confirming the sale of the watch to the House of Gübelin in 1944. Measuring 43×30 mm, the men’s watch is unusually large for its time. The watch is driven by highly refined wind-up mechanism. The Cal. 12”’SC was produced only between 1938 and 1950 in limited numbers. On November 27th, Koller Auctions sold this unique watch for CHF 387 500 CHF with buyer’s premium, more than triple the low estimate.
Gübelin Gem Museum
Double-signed watches are particularly treasured by connoisseurs and offer great potential for collectors. They also bear witness to the long-standing partnership between Patek Philippe and Gübelin, which dates back to the 19th century. In the recently opened Gübelin Gem Museum, visitors immerse themselves in the fascinating world of gemstones and learn more about the Lucerne-based family-owned firm. Surrounded by select watches and jewellery pieces, they embark on a journey through the history of the House of Gübelin. One of the exhibits is a tonneau-shaped Patek Philippe Calatrava from 1951, which also bears the Gübelin signature along with that of the manufactory.
