PATEK PHILIPPE. A UNIQUE 18K GOLD OPENFACE KEYLESS LEVER WATCH WITH ENAMEL MINIATURE BY MARTHE BISCHOFF
Reference: 715 / 15
Date: Circa 1975
Movement: 18-jewel Cal. 17''-140, screwed monometallic balance, Seal of Geneva, no. 893321
Dial: Silvered, applied faceted gold baton numerals, subsidiary seconds, gold hands
Case: Snap back with finely painted enamel miniature of two horses, no. 432829
Signed: Case, dial and movement, miniature signed, M. Bischoff
Size: 47mm
Footnotes:
The present lot is one of only a handful of enamel pieces to be completed by the artist Marthe Bischoff for Patek Philippe. Marthe Bischoff (1900-1991) was one of the preeminent Geneva enamellers of the 20th century. Beginning in the 1960's she was employed by Patek Philippe and throughout her career as an enamel artist was commissioned to create unique painted on enamel watches for the firm alongside other masters such as Suzanne Rohr and Helene May Mercier. For one to view some of her work they would need to visit the Patek Philippe Museum in Geneva, Switzerland, which contains two examples of her painted on enamel masterpieces of only a handful known.
Bischoff's mastery of miniature painting is on full display with the present lot. Other examples of her work usually feature expansive scenes of country life, and the present lot has elements of those in the background landscape. The central image, however, is up close and highly detailed in the presentation of two horses, one looking out to the viewer. This presentation emphasizes Bischoff's artistry as the detail needed to produce a realistic image come down to the fine details, usually made by a single hair paintbrush. From start to finish, one of these paintings can take around six months.
It is a rare opportunity to acquire a such an elusive example, let alone one which has remained with the original owners' family since purchase, and this painted enamel watch would be a crowning pieces to a collection with its place in the pantheon of hand crafts that Patek Philippe has created over the last century and a half.

Ticking. Dial and hands fine. Enamel intact and in fine condition.

Except as expressly set forth in the Conditions of Sale, all watches are sold 'as is.' Condition reports are statements of opinion based on visual inspection and may not include all defects or replacements or those that would be revealed by disassembly of the watch.
Although we endeavor to mention in our descriptions significant defects, needed repairs, WE DO NOT GUARANTEE THAT THE DESCRIPTIONS ARE COMPREHENSIVE. We do not warrant any watch to be in good working order or warrant the accuracy of any watch function. Any repairs that might be required are the responsibility of the purchaser.
Please note that Bonhams does not warrant that any component watch part is original or that watch cases have not been altered or replaced, as virtually all pre-owned watches may have been previously repaired and could include replacement parts. A manufacturer's certificate of authenticity is not available unless described in the catalog description of a lot, and a manufacturer's refusal to service or repair a timepiece due to the presence of replacement parts shall not constitute grounds to rescind a sale.
Case screw-backs have been loosened for examination and viewing by Bonhams, and should be resealed by purchasers for water resistance. The dimensions given refer to the diameter of circular watch cases, excluding the lugs (in the case of a wristwatch) or the pendant (in the case of a pocket watch). For watches of other shapes, the corresponding width is given.