Patek Philippe Gilt Brass Desk Clock

An Extremely Rare & Magnificent Patek Philippe Jade Swan Solar Clock Featured as one of Hodinkee's top picks, the present clock is an extremely rare and magnificent Patek Philippe regency style gilt brass & Jadeite Dial Solar Powered Desk Clock which is in perfect working condition and is fully signed for Patek Philippe A Geneve. Confirmed by its archive the clock is referenced as a Ref 1316 and Manufactured in 1965 and is known to be the LARGEST solar clock Patek Philippe has ever produced with a staggering 7.5” dial encompassed by a 22.8 cm x 26.7 cm large Hand engraved case. The Jade Swan Solar Clock Mechanism and Function When Patek Philippe marketed its first solar clocks in the mid 1950s, they did what was once thought was impossible: harness the power of light as the motive force for a timepiece. Their marketing boasted of this ground breaking technology, "Never before in the history of the measurement of time, has light - natural or artificial - been used as the sole motive agent of a clock mechanism". Before the dawn of the quartz revolution in 1970s, Swiss watch companies fought to make the most accurate and beautiful clocks. Novel designs and technical prowess made for a lively competition as the major houses vied for design and produce timepieces that were functional as well as works of art. These clocks were the blank canvases for the engravers, enamellists, jewelers, and watchmakers to show the tradition arts were still alive and well, even though the ticking of the common quartz movement was marching closer every day. The most famous of these Patek Philippe clocks from this period is the dome clock. First shown to the world in 1955, these clocks became the status symbol of luxury and were found in the finest homes and offices of the era. However other designs of solar clocks were also made, and in much lesser quantities. During the 1960s and 1970s, Patek Philippe made modern interpretations of cartel clocks, Empire style clocks, portico clocks, even Renaissance table clocks, all using the cutting edge solar technology. Patek Philippe soon owned the high end of the clock market with the development of their hybrid Mechanical/Solar system in the late 1950s. Using early 20th century pocket watch movements, the movements were converted to modern use and combined with solar technology. The 28 jeweled mechanical caliber 17 ligne movements were set within the clocks horizontally for accuracy and were wound by an electric winding device powered by the solar cells. A daily exposure of 200 lux was sufficient to keep the clock running indefinitely. When complete, the maximum variation on the timing of these clocks was an impressive 1 second for every 24 hours. The Jade Swan Solar Clock features a number of unique characteristics that make it one of the rarest and most beautiful of all Patek Philippe clocks ever made. Most solar dome clocks feature a dial of approximately 3 inches - the width of the dial of this Jade solar clock is a massive 7.5". It is the largest known Patek Philippe solar...

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Intricately crafted in gilt brass, here is a fine French carriage clock from the late 19th to early 20th century. This analog timekeeper of a discernible style features heavily decorated columns, ornately patterned sides and back, and an enamel dial with black Roman numerals and hands and gold dot minute markers. The movement inside is Brevet 13896 with a platform lever escapement. This table clock...

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FACTORY / HOUSE: J. E. Caldwell STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco METAL / MATERIAL: Gilded Finish with Kiln Fired Enamel Inlay CIRCA / YEAR: 1930's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: 4 Inches X 4 Inch X 2...

Cartier desk alarm clock, the movement by Luxor, Swiss, made circa 1960's, is a gilt-brass and painted 8-day going desk clock with alarm and decorative Louis XV style brass handle. ...