A PATEK PHILIPPE PLATINUM POCKET WATCH WITH ROYAL PROVENANCE, REF. 600P

The ref. 600 was one of the most popular pocket watch models of Patek Philippe’s 20th century production. Made from the early 1930s until circa 1969, the reference evolved through many different variations and styles. This platinum version is the most luxurious and most expensive of ref. 600 versions, retailing for around 1250 USD in 1946 (compared to 1500 USD for a ref. 1518). This historically important example was originally owned by Prince Tewfik of Egypt, the same owner of the now famous pink on pink ref. 1518R that recently sold at Sotheby’s for 9.5M USD.

The movement features the HOX stamped on the balance cock indicating that this watch was originally exported to the American market. In this case, it was originally retailed by Black, Starr & Gorham in New York. The company had numerous name changes in its history and in 1929 it also merged with Spaulding, the Chicago based jeweler (and longtime Patek Philippe retailer). In 1953, Marilyn Monroe famously sang the song ‘Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend’ in the movie Gentleman Prefer Blondes and name drops the top American jewelers: Tiffany, Cartier, Harry Winston, and Black, Starr, Frost and Gorham. This immortalized the retailer and to this day Patek Philippe dials from this exclusive store are coveted by collectors for their rarity and notoriety.

Collectability sold another fresh to market example of the ref. 600P last year with a diamond dial and unusual provenance. Prince Tewfik’s example is exceptionally interesting for not only its condition, but also its provenance, and the fact that it is the only known example of a 600P to feature non-diamond indexes. It is truly a watch of royal understatement.

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