Richard Hartley
1
A delightful problem: Identification Dyslexia and the Newcomer
The problem: Re: Vintage 14k Patek Philippe Hunting style Pocket Watch - case serial # 56465.
On December 5, 1972 Lucienne Wuispchpard of the Henri Stern Watch Agency wrote:
"Dear Dr. Hartley
Our head technician has just completed the examination of your Patek Philippe watch now with us for repair (the crystal had been broken by its owner). He has informed us that it is one of our older models which we no longer repair here. It will be necessary to send it to our factory in Switzerland for an estimate of the cost to restore it to good running order. We cannot give you even an approximate estimate, but usually repairs of this kind can easily be in the neighborhood of $250???..
This proud ?new? PP owner is in desperate need of guidance. The watch is a simple, non-repeating hunting style pocket watch (chronometer?) approximately 46mm ? which at the very least needs a new crystal. (I was hopeful the letter, only recently uncovered, might provide more details as to the specifics of the repairs as well as a more precise identification enabling me to better gauge its value (with or without the repairs)
Any assistance or suggestions would be greatly appreciately.
Richard
Richard Z. Hartley