PATEK PHILIPPE YELLOW GOLD MINIATURE ENAMEL OPEN FACE POCKET WATCH, ‘SPRINGBOK’ REF. 974/24J
Featuring a miniature enamel of a springbok signed Anita Porchet, made and sold circa 2003
Watches and Accessories
This is the first time Collectability has the absolute honor of offering for sale a miniature enamel by the celebrated enamelist, Anita Porchet. Ms. Porchet is recognized as one the greatest enamelists of our era and her work can be seen on Patek Philippe miniature enamels as well as some of the masterpieces of other brands including Vacheron Constantin, Hermès, and Piaget. She has won numerous accolades including the “Prix Gaïa” in the category of Artisanat-création at the Musée International d’Horlogerie de la Chaux-de-Fonds. The Financial Times appropriately dubbed Porchet “The Greatest Watch Painter” in this impressive article by Nick Foulkes from September 2021. Perhaps most interesting, is how she reveals her relationship with Patek Philippe in this article:
“In 2008, I opened my atelier thanks to Philippe Stern,” she says of the Patek Philippe scion. Among the highlights of her work for Patek are a watch that recreates Klimt and a piece for Stern himself that features five depictions of dawn on Lake Geneva by different Swiss artists. Stern Sr is both a noted collector of Swiss art and a champion yachtsman. “He lent me the money for the studio, but above all he left me free to work for other marques.”
Some of her work can also be seen in this fascinating video in which she describes her work for Audemars Piguet, and in this video where she further describes her craft.
This enamel depiction of a springbok, an antelope from the south of Africa, is a testament to her mastery of the Grand Feu technique of enameling. Under high magnification, one can appreciate the artistry of Porchet’s steady hand as she brings the springbok to life as it sprints across the white enamel background. This is from a small series of springboks sold by Patek Philippe in 2003, presumably for the BaselWorld Rare Handicraft offering. For the Patek Philippe collector, a miniature enamel is a trophy of one’s collection. Anita Porchet enamel watches seem to transcend all other modern horological offerings in terms of their artistry and the ability to showcase the preservation of the traditional art of miniature enameling. Preserved in as-new condition, this example is destined to become part of a collection that will last generations, preserving the secrets of craftsmanship within each brush stroke, and at the same time, loudly showcasing that the art of enameling is still very much alive.
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Pocket watch specifications
Reference Number: 974/24J
Production Year: Circa 2003
Original Date of Sale: Circa 2003
Size: 44 mm
Material: 18K yellow gold
Dial Color: Silvered with applied Breguet numerals
Watch Movement: Caliber 17-170
Accompanied By: Extract from the Archives on order
CSKU: 1809
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