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Two Patek marvels owned by Thomas Emery
Thomas Emery is much less well-known than legendary collectors James Ward Packard and Henry Graves Jr.
However, he was also a great collector, as evidenced by the two pieces below:
- Patek Philippe’s — and the world’s — first perpetual calendar wristwatch.
- The previously unknown silver desk clock which will be sold on December 8th by Sotheby's in the auction "Important Watches featuring Exceptional Discoveries: The Olmsted Complications Collection".
A/ THE WORLD'S FIRST PERPETUAL CALENDAR WRISTWATCH
The movement inside this watch was created in 1898 for a women’s pendant watch which never sold.
It was recased in 1925 into a hand-carved 34.4 mm gold case.
The watch was sold in 1927 to the American collector Thomas Emery and belongs today to the Patek Philippe Museum.
credit: Revolution (1 & 5-7), Aquilaa (2), Everest (3) & Patek Philippe (4)
B/ PREVIOUSLY UKNOWN SILVER TWO-TRAIN DESK CLOCK
This one features a perpetual calendar with moon phases and a 10-day up-down power reserve indicator.
It was manufactured in 1928 and sold on 11 May 1933 to Thomas Emery, thus the "TE" monogram.
Movement. no. 198159, case no. 292119.
Watch Diameter: 61 mm
Width: 74 mm
credit: Sotheby’s
Length: 106 mm
Height: 60 mm
Width overall: 120 mm
Length overall: 155 mm
credit: Sotheby’s
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Two Patek marvels owned by Thomas Emery
Thomas Emery is much less well-known than legendary collectors James Ward Packard and Henry Graves Jr . However, he was also a great collector , as evidenced by the two pieces below: Patek Philippe ’s — and the world ’s — first perpetual calendar wristwat...
It does look somewhat similar to the Patek 5160 model.
Although the 5160 model - I thought - was inspired by the engravings on hunting rifles and shot guns. Kind of like those "Purdey and Panerai" watches?
I've had a look as I didn't know these watches. Very special indeed.
credit: carrwatches ...
The guns are amazing.
I've been to the London boutique and the detail on the guns are truly inspiring. I really like the engravings, but the Panerai didn't look great on my wrist.
Kinda the Golden Age of Patek Philippe imho.
Do you think in the future they can ever get back to achieving true greatness, or has time and the now-plethora of modern watch makers and computerized machinery.... As long as they keep the 'rare handcrafts' series going, let normal production support th...
Golden age, for sure.
But I think PP still knows how to achieve true greatness. In Geneva a few months ago I have been able to see and hear the 5178G-012: a good example of greatness. Best, Emmanuel credit: @mad_abt_aston_and_lange ...
No, not at the above level.
While Patek still makes above average quality watches, people don’t have the standards and expectations as they did in those days. Try to sell a barely functional unreliable modern independent to Packard or Graves…? This days “collectors” just want colore...
True for many, but I would argue that there are still very serious collectors.
Just think about Horology_Ancienne, the father and son duo, who are members here and who are very demanding Patek (and not only Patek) collectors. Don't you think so? Best, Emmanuel
Yes, absolutely!
But those types are less than 1%. “Wow, wonderful dial” sounds familiar? Often heard on comments and that’s where it ends Just look at Vacheron, for example, once the most artistic and sophisticated case designer in all horology…! One marvel after another...
Yes, a lot of what you say is the sad "mass" reality.
Consumers with low standards, looking for status symbols, and brands mostly giving them what they ask for.
Agree, Tiffany blue dial to appease high rollers was awkward.
The great thing is, there are so many options from inexpensive Chinese to British small producers, to some of the best hand crafted watchmakers. We have more choices than we ever had for timepieces. And if you want to follow the Ferrari crowd, go for it. ...
When craftsmanship was an actual thing...
...the layout on the perpetual is fantastic...and on a 'small' watch. Always loved these desk clocks...don't have a place to put it and can't afford one, but they are very cool...
Thanks Emmanuelle for alerting us to the two beauties !
Glad that Patek in 2025 W&W brought back a desk clock ! Great to have a desk clock in the office to show how sophisicated we are horologically !