Pocket watch specifications

Reference Number
974/31J
Production Year
2001
Original Date of Sale
November 24, 2003
Size
44 mm
Material
18K yellow gold
Dial Color
Silvered with applied Breguet numerals
Watch Movement
Caliber 17"' LEP PS
Accompanied By
Extract from the Archives
CSKU
2001

Story behind the watch

It is an absolute honor to offer 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.” 

If you haven’t listened to Anita Porchet’s recent podcast with Carlos Torres, please listen and you will have a whole new understanding of Anita Porchet’s work.

This enamel depiction is of a blue macaw, one of most endangered species in the world.  Under high magnification, one can appreciate the artistry of Porchet’s steady hand as she brings the macaw to life with such detail and mastery. 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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1

Find a Patek Philippe you like

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2

Know the watch

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3

Make the purchase

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4

Receive the watch

You will receive your watch securely packaged in our box, complete with its accompaniments.

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Buy a watch

Every timepiece is personally inspected and authenticated by our founder, John Reardon, one of the world’s leading experts on Patek Philippe. The case, dial, movement, and, when applicable, the buckle and bracelet are examined before a watch is offered for sale. Whenever possible, we include the original Certificate of Origin or an Extract from the Archives. If a watch is offered without one, we will always explain why - for example, if Patek Philippe declined to issue an Extract from the Archives because a dial was changed at some point in the watch's history.

We take pride in offering watches in the condition in which we acquired them. We avoid unnecessary interventions such as polishing or dial refinishing. If a movement requires repair, it is serviced by our select group of trusted specialists, including Patek Philippe-trained watchmakers.

Yes. We guarantee the authenticity of every Patek Philippe timepiece we sell. If a watch purchased from us is ever determined to have a previously unknown issue, we will cancel the sale and refund the full purchase price. This authenticity guarantee lasts three years from the date of sale and applies only to the original purchaser. It covers the watch as a whole, not individual components. All trademarks mentioned are the property of their respective owners. Collectability is an independent business and is not an authorized Patek Philippe dealer nor affiliated with Patek Philippe SA.

Every watch purchased from Collectability is guaranteed to be in working order for one year from the date of sale. If it stops functioning properly during that period (and hasn’t been damaged or mishandled), we’ll repair or adjust it free of charge.

Vintage and pre-owned watches should never be considered water resistant, even if they were originally designed as such. We recommend avoiding exposure to water, shocks, or magnetic fields.

For most timepieces, with the exception of consigned pieces, if you decide your timepiece is not right for you, you can return it within three business days for a full refund. We’ll provide a return shipping label and issue your refund upon safe receipt of the watch.

We accept secure payments via bank transfer only.

Yes. All shipments are insured until they reach you via a trusted courier.

Returns are accepted within three business days of delivery for a full refund. We’ll provide a prepaid label and issue the refund upon safe receipt of the watch.

We’ll arrange immediate repair or adjustment under the terms of our one-year working guarantee.

Within the first year, repairs within reason are covered. After this period, we can coordinate servicing with our watchmaking partners at your expense, with an estimate provided before any work begins.

Yes. Many clients choose to have us coordinate ongoing maintenance or service.

Testimonials

Tom P

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September 2025

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July 2025

“I’ve had the pleasure of purchasing two vintage Patek Philippe watches from Collectibility, and I couldn’t be more satisfied with the entire experience. From the initial inquiry to post-purchase support, the service provided has been nothing short of exceptional. John Reardon is a true authority wh…”

Marc

June 2025

“I bought a watch and John and Tania could not have been better to deal with.”

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June 2025

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Peter S

May 2025

“I am a New York City physician and distinctly honored to have recently purchased several exquisite, rare, pristine and well-priced Patek Philippe timepieces and accessories from John Reardon, founder of Collectability. John is the real deal you can't find anywhere else when it comes to being knowle…”

David T

April 2025

“I just opened the box with the Patek Philippe watch and paperwork from Collectability. Not only is the watch stunning, but the quality of the packaging and the overall presentation was the best I have ever seen. I am extremely impressed. You really made the buying experience absolutely first class.…”

Robert M

March 2025

“John was very patient. I thought I knew a lot about Patek Philippe since I worked in an authorized dealership many years ago. I was wrong. As a lifelong Patek fan, I really appreciate the patience and assistance. My watch is amazing. Every aspect of my purchase exceeded expectations. Thank you!”

BLN

February 2025

“Collectability’s integrity, knowledge and service elevate an enjoyable hobby to a passionate quest for scholarship and collection. I have dealt with the team at multiple occasions over the years, and what I found truly remarkable is the combination of generosity in sharing knowledge and unmatched e…”

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January 2025

“You [John Reardon] and your team are really amazing and some of us are very fortunate that we not only have been able to get some amazing Patek Philippe pieces through you, but we have learned a lot as part of the process.”

Marc B

December 2024

“Over the past 4 years, I have bought and sold over a dozen Patek Philippe timepieces with Collectability. John Reardon and Tania Edwards are not only world-class experts when it comes to Patek Philippe, they are also world-class individuals. They set the bar high for everything from the educational…”