Passions Watch Exchange

About This Watch

Vintage. No boxes but has an orig. suede leather pouch with the factory archive certifying the watch and an insurance valuation letter from Shreve Crump & Low Company dated 22 Sep 1947 valuing it at US$1200, a great amount of money at it's time. This  watch was also benefitted with a service at the Swiss factory via Beyer & has invoice dated to April 1984.

An outstanding lady's vintage Patek Philippe wrist bracelet-watch in heavy 18 Karat Gold. A tiny button can be located on the mid-section, to the right of the bracelet and upon depressing it, a cover flips open to reveal a watch dial & shows us the time while the crown is discreetly hidden by the side which winds well with a touch of your finger's tip. The watch functions well and the hunting cover closes with a snap. The decorated and highly finished movement shines brightly as if it was recently manufactured and it has a Geneva Seal stamped; one of the smallest watch movement to receive this honour. The watch is an Alter Ego which is worn as a gold bracelet and shows time upon demand.

We acquired this lovely watch from an American lady living in Singapore. Her French aunt received it from her husband in 1945 just after the Great War has ended and France was liberated. They subsequently moved to United States and settled in Massachusetts which explains why the watch received attention from the US jeweller. It has remained in a single ownership for over 50yrs until it was gifted to our client. It is an enchanting story like this that fascinates us.

According to the Patek Philippe archive, this watch was manufactured in 1944 and sold in July 1945. Just two months after the liberation of the European Theater in WW2 while Japan did not surrender until September that year so the world was still very much in turmoil and the majority of Europe in shambles but our Mr Robert S Crenshaw purchased this Patek Philippe for his dearest wife.

The accompanying valuation letter from September 1947 remains in crisp condition and looks new today with it's original envelope bearing a 3 cents postage. A pity that stamp was not used and chopped by the post office otherwise it would fetch some value there. We collect old documents and it is impossible to keep paper in such condition for almost 70yrs especially in our humid climate so this is truly a delight on it's own. According to our research, US$1200 is equivalent to US$13,201.40 in 2016.

Back in 1947, an average new house in the USA costed US$6600 while annual average wage was US$2850 & a Bulova gents watch was just US$52.50. So this watch at US$1200 value was certainly quite an extravagant gift.

Shreve, Crump & Low is the oldest North American luxury goods company based in Boston having established in 1796.

Please click here to visit their official website.

This is a Patek Philippe with an excellent provenance and documented history which would attract collectors and it is quite a unique watch of it's own as we have never seen another like her, certainly rarer than most Calatravas or even some complications. Would you like to bring her home and continue your story with it?