Up For Auction in Geneva on November 6th 2021
The Patek Philippe table Clock / Credit: Swiss Watches
Patek Philippe is releasing a ‘dashboard’ clock for Only Watch 2021 this year – ‘The Only One’.
The design is in Great Gatsby-esque style, reminiscent of the Roaring Twenties. Also, to the early American automotive industry.
Only Watch is a biennial auction of unique luxury timepieces, made specifically by brands, with proceeds going to research for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. This year it starts on November 6th 2021.
This clock was inspired by American automotive tycoon James Ward Packard’s desktop clock that he was gifted in the 1920s. James Ward Packard was a well-known watch collector who owned many timepieces throughout his lifetime. The is evidenced by his ‘Fairytale’ watch collection of that was kept away in a bank vault for over 60 years, one that included rare pieces from Patek Philippe and Vacheron Constantin, sold at auction in 2011. The original desk clock was ‘gifted’ to James in the early 1920s by Patek Philippe as a show of appreciation for being such a highly valued customer.
James Ward Packard’s Patek Philippe clock, circa 1923 / Credit: Patek Philippe in America
Patek Philippe’s model from 2021 is the reference 27001M-001 and is equipped with a perpetual calendar, the phases of the moon, a 31-day power reserve, and also includes 9 patents! The 919-part 86-135 PEND IRM Q SE caliber took seven years to develop and has an accuracy of +/- 1 second per day!
The Patek Philippe ref. 27001M-001 Dashboard Clock ‘The Only One’
This clock has beautiful ornate finishing throughout the inlays of American walnut on its sterling silver case. It has the title ‘The Only One’ as it will theoretically be the only one ever made. The clock face has a design and font which resembles the Patek Philippe Calatrava ref. 5212A-001 from a couple years ago.
Patek Philippe Ref. 5212A-001 / Credit: WatchTime
It also includes a unique complication, a weekly calendar on the outer ring of the clock’s face, along with other complications like a jumping seconds hand to in the fashion of the vintage clock it is a homage of. Multiple pushers include features to open the clock panel or to access the winding key.
Patek Philippe’s last Only Watch contribution, the Grandmaster Chime, sold for 31 million CHF in 2019, as the world’s most expensive watch ever...We’ll see how this year goes!
By: Eric Mulder
Read more:
McAndrew, Eric. “RELEASE: THE FAIRYTALE WATCH COLLECTION HIDDEN IN A BANK VAULT FOR OVER 60 YEARS.” Christie’s. May 25th, 2011, https://www.christies.com/about-us/press-archive/details/?pressreleaseid=4845.
Traina, Tony. “The uncelebrated timepieces in 'A Grand Complication'.” Rescapement, November 14th, 2020, https://www.rescapement.com/blog/the-uncelebrated-timepieces-in-a-grand-complication.
Espindle, Mike. “A Patek Philippe “Dashboard” Clock Goes Under The Hammer For Only Watch 2021.” Watchonista, October 25th, 2021, https://www.watchonista.com/articles/closer-look/patek-philippe-dashboard-clock-goes-under-hammer-only-watch-2021.