PATEK PHILIPPE ROSE GOLD REF. 425R

The ref. 425 was in production from 1934 – 1960 and was one of the most recognizable mid-century looks in the Patek Philippe design vocabulary. This elegant example features a pink on pink aesthetic within the famous ‘Tegolino’ case. The case was made by the celebrated Genevan case maker Markowski, and the dial by no other than Stern Frères. To top it off, the caliber 9-90 is a Patek Philippe mechanical work of art. This ref. 425 is accompanied by its original, leather bound Patek Philippe booklet that was made especially for Montgomery Ward, dating the original sale of this watch February 23, 1945. The language within this booklet is a looking glass into the world of watch buying in the 1940s, and sheds light on the marketing and relationship between end consumers, retailers and the brand during this era. The booklet introduces Patek Philippe to the American buyer with a not so subtle humble brag, “Patek Philippe is generally accepted as the world’s foremost watch”. It goes on to describe the purpose of such a registration booklet, “Montgomery Ward has registered your Patek Philippe watch case and movement number for positive identification in case of loss or theft. For the protection of your watch, keep the following registration record in a safe place.” It also gives interesting instructions how to set the watch, “To set the watch, insert your thumbnail and nail of your third finger under the stem button and extend the stem carefully. Set the hands of the watch and push the stem in gently.” Finally, it outlines the importance of servicing your watch, by gender, “A man’s pocket watch will need oiling every 18 months, a man’s wristwatch every 12 months, and a woman’s watch every 8 months.” All in all, this booklet offers amazing insight into the mind of the retailer and brand during this era.