This particular Patek Philippe watch that was auctioned at Christie’s Dubai last month was truly unique in several ways. One of the first perpetual chronograph watches ever made by Patek Philippe, its historic value was upped still more by the fact it was once owned by King Farouk, the penultimate monarch of Egypt and the Sudan and a man who was known for his fondness for all things luxurious – from Rolls-Royce cars to vintage timepieces.
Commissioned by the King in 1945, the 18-carat gold watch – one of only 281 ever made – is the first ‘1518’ edition of the iconic three-dial style that still in production today. Highlighting its significance, John Reardon, Christie’s International Head of Watches, said: “The same design concept still exists on new Patek Philippe watches, but it has gone through five iterations in as many decades, which is why the original 1518 is known today as the great-great-grandfather of the series.”
In what was then considered an unprecedented horological feat, the timepiece incorporated a triple-complication movement, which micro-mechanically counts seconds, minutes, hours, days, months and years. It also includes a moon-face calendar between its two chronograph registers.
It’s the caseback, though, that gives it its royal heritage. Engraved with a crowned ‘F’ on the reverse, complete with a star and a half-moon on the crown (a symbol of the then-Egyptian flag), the watch was believed to be a harbinger of good luck by King Farouk himself. That, however, was probably before he was forcibly deposed in 1952.