Comments:
Ref. 1540 (dot markers for the minutes, hours and every fives seconds + four rounded outgrowth at 3, 6, 9 & 12)
credit: onbehalf
credit: @johnbehalf (John Nagayama)
credit: @minox3412
credit: antiquorum & collector square
credit: Charlie Dunne (@strictlyvintagewatches)
credit: onbehalf
Ref. 1550 (left) with ref. 1540 (right) credit: @johnbehalf (all except wrist shot) & @antiquorumgeneve (wrist shot only)
Ref. 1551 (dot markers for the hours except at 3, 6, 9 & 12, Arabic numerals every five minutes, stick indexes every five seconds + four rounded outgrowth at 3, 6, 9 & 12)
credit: Roni Madhvani (@roni_m_29)
credit: Marcus Siems on Goldammer
Patek Philippe's five "Comets"
In 1942 and 1943, Patek Philippe released a set of five different watches powered by the same caliber 10-110 and sharing a design centred on rounded shape and elements (multiple dot indexes on the dial & rounded outgrowth on the case).
Because of these rounded elements placed in some kind of orbit around the central pinion, this quintet of watches has been nicknamed "The Comets" (it seems to me that "The Satellites" would have been a little more appropriate, but who cares).
Art deco? Steampunk? It's hard to tell how this style should be described, but it sure is extravagant, daring and futuristic.
I first discovered the ref. 1540 while doing my routine research and started digging, which led me to this essential article to which this post owes a lot: Rare Patek Philippe Watches - The "Comet" Collection by Marcus Siems.
Best to you all!
credit: onbehalf
credit: @johnbehalf (John Nagayama)
credit: @minox3412
Ref. 1545 (dot markers for the minutes, hours and every fives seconds + two squarish outgrowth at 6 & 12)
credit: antiquorum & collector square
Ref. 1548 (dot markers for the minutes (with Arabic numerals every 5 minutes), hours and every fives seconds + four rounded outgrowth at 1, 5, 7 & 11)
credit: Charlie Dunne (@strictlyvintagewatches)
Ref. 1550 (no dot markers, Arabic numerals and stick indexes for the hours and every five seconds + two rounded outgrowth at 6 & 12)
credit: onbehalf
Ref. 1550 (left) with ref. 1540 (right) credit: @johnbehalf (all except wrist shot) & @antiquorumgeneve (wrist shot only)
Ref. 1551 (dot markers for the hours except at 3, 6, 9 & 12, Arabic numerals every five minutes, stick indexes every five seconds + four rounded outgrowth at 3, 6, 9 & 12)
credit: Roni Madhvani (@roni_m_29)
The five "Comets"
credit: Marcus Siems on Goldammer
Wow!
Clearly, I need to make a lot more money!
Of course the hard part then is finding one.
Thank you for the post!
Always such great information. I really appreciate your efforts on all of them.
I don’t have the answer to this question!
I see many possible reasons and explanations but I don’t think PP has lost its soul and creativity: I remain reasonably optimistic about what they are able to do in the future.
Would love to
see these pieces in the metal !
Feel like an astronaut just looking at the photos !
Great research on this post. Well done !
Feel like an astronaut just looking at the photos !
Great research on this post. Well done !
Yes, exactly!
Unfortunately the chances of seing one in the metal are pretty low…
Thanks for the kind words.
Thanks for the kind words.
What a great set of pieces
These are extremely interesting and good looking too. These dials are a rare instance where the designer took advantage of the small Cal 10-110 to launch a series of stunning dials.
It's remarkable if less than twenty watches of each example were made. For today's Patek, that would practically be a rounding error. These would be a dream to all but the most educated and connected collector. Today's Patek is unlikely to lavish the same attention to detail on a simple small seconds movement, so my hope is that an industrious Independent will see these posts and give it some thought.
These pieces personally remind me of those made by Vianney Halter.
So, I would say that at least one independent has already given some thoughts to these "Comets". Wouldn't you agree?
credit: quill & pad
Trio
credit: hairspring
credit: monochrome
Antiqua
credit: quill & pad
Trio
credit: hairspring
Classic
credit: monochrome
Very much so.
Yes, absolutely I see the strong similarities. I'd consider this set of Vianney Halter watches to be classics already and I'd hope they are not the last Independent watches to borrow some of the unconventional elements from the Comet series.
Same for me.
I like the "manta ray" models (2554 & 5100) much better as far as personal taste and "would-want-to-wear" is concerned.
But historically and aesthetically, this quintet is quite something.
I see it as some kind of ancestor of Vianney Halter's Antiqua, Trio and Classic...
Ok so I guessI am an unenthusiastic outlier here. For me about the kindest thing I can say is that these Comets is that they are interesting and “unusual”. But with Reference 2573 using the descriptive word “unusual” IMO
would be charitable to an extreme degree.. I can think of a lot of very negative descriptions, but I will refrain. But hey, what do I know according to JCK the below watch with an estimate of $10-15,000 sold at Christie’s for over $400,000. In case anyone is interested in leaning more about these rather odd looking, but exceedingly rare Pateks, google “At Christie’s It’s Time For Pearls”
Credit Christie’s and JCK
Credit Christie’s and JCK
Thank you for speaking your mind openly.
I certainly can understand why you dislike the Comets. The reason why I personally find them worthy of attention is that this retro-futuristic aesthetic has had some interesting later development, leading in particular to the steampunk icons of Vianney Halter (cf. below), which, when seen in person, are much more refined and interesting than one could think at first sight (I was very skeptical “on the paper” but quite impressed in the metal). And it seems very unexpected and worth noting to me that Patek has been a pioneer in this direction.
As for the 2573 with pearl indexes, it seems to be nothing more than a whim of the Emir of Bahrain. I find it a bit ridiculous and unattractive and can only explain the price it sold for by its scarcity (and maybe appeal for some).
Best, Emmanuel
Antiqua (credit: quill & pad)
Trio (credit: hairspring)
Classic (credit: monochrome)
I agree with you that the Comet is worthy of attention. Whether one likes it or not it shows again that Patek has been and continues to be, at times, a bit
daring in introducing new watches to the the lineup. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t, but it all part of understanding Patek’s journey. And it is a good thing that Patek at times is unpredictable. Adds to the anticipation of and excitement about what they might do next, eg Cubitus - again, whether one likes it or not.
Best, Patekova
PS very interesting, comparing Comet to the round Vianney Halter