Over 10 years ago, John Reardon wrote an article titled ‘Popes and Their Pateks’ for Hodinkee. He was particularly fascinated with a watch that could only be seen in the Patek Philippe Museum in Geneva and believed it to be unique at the time. Now, over a decade later, a fresh-to-market second piece made for Pope Leo XIII has been discovered and Collectability is honored to present it to the world. This timepiece is literally a Holy Grail!
This important pocket watch is a massive 50 mm piece of Patek Philippe and Papal history. As a horological work of art, the case is a testament to the brilliance of Patek Philippe case making and dial making. Note the details of the hand-chased and engraved bezel and even the fine detail of the engraved bow. The beauty of the chased silver dial with engraved and enameled Roman numerals combined with the gold hands represents the highest standard of case making for this era. The rose gold turban crown is also a subtle flourish – identical to the crown that can be seen on the example at the Patek Philippe Museum. Interestingly, the example at the museum is missing its original movement. As Patek Philippe stated in the book ‘Timepieces for Royalty’, where the Pope Leo XIII pocket watch is lavishly presented, we learn that the museum example has a missing movement, “For an unknown reason the movement of this watch was removed after 1936”. We may not know why the movement was removed but we are happy to report that this newly discovered treasure now on offer is original and complete with its original movement, number 56’911. The Extract from the Archives confirms the movement and case numbers as well as the ‘chiselled case band and bezel, Leon XIII jubilee silver medal’.
The effigy itself was fashioned from Jubilary medals from the 10th anniversary of Leo XIII’s pontificate. It is unknown whether or not Pope Leo XIII wore or presented this watch as a gift, but it is a work of art worthy of the Vatican.
Pope Leo XIII was born Giacchino Vincenzo Pecci in Italy on March 2, 1810. Studying under the Jesuits in Viterbo, he paved a path to the papacy with dedicated service and the delicate business of politics. He became pope on February 20, 1878 and took the name Leo XIII. In his new role, he paid great attention to repairing the relations between the Holy See and the most powerful European nations including the German Empire and England. Socially, he spent great attention on winning the approval of the working classes that were leaving the church. After publishing the famous ‘Rerum Novarum’ in 1891, he became known as the ‘Pope of the workers’. With his dedication to workers rights and conditions, he made his mark on history and is remembered fondly for his 25 years as Pope. Pope Leo XIII died in Rome on July 20, 1893.
The example found within the Patek Philippe Museum (inv. P-62) with medal (by Francesco Bianchi) can be seen with ‘Timepieces from Royalty’, pages 84-87.
