It is a high-grade piece made especially for the prestigious Cincinnati, Ohio retailer Duhme & Co. Not long ago we sold a Patek Philippe split-second (rattrapante) chronograph pocket watch that was also made for Duhme and likely only a couple years apart from this watch, showing how high a level of Patek Philippe watches the company commissioned and sold.
Its marvelous high-grade movement features Patek's special moustache counterpoise snail cam regulator found in Chronometro Gondolo watches. The Patek caliber also has wolf's tooth gearing and a capped escape wheel.
Its classic two-color dial is a beauty. Its red seconds and five minute markings give it a distinctive look. It pairs perfectly with the plain polished case.
We were fortunate to aquire it in very pleasing original condition. It is all-original with matching signature that it was made for Duhme & Co.
Founded by German born Herman Duhme in 1834, Duhme & Co eventually became the most prolific and prominent silver manufacturer in the Midwest. A local Cincinnati handback proclaimed that the Duhme showroom was "one of finest jewelry salesrooms on the Continent... [with] a rich display of Gold Jewelry , besides a large quantity of Silver Goods."
In the photos below I've included an artist's rendering of it from 1875. The same handbook also purproted that Duhme's firm was "known as the most extensive jewelers in the west."
Its case presents as near mint plus with a couple of pin pricks in the back, only light wear, and strong hinges. Its untouched original dial presents as mint to the naked eye.
One of our Master Watchmakers has disassembled it down to its last screw and serviced it making it ready for immediate enjoyment.
Included with the purchase is a one-year international C.O.T. warranty on the movement and its function and a custom printed Connoisseur of Time Certificate of Authenticity.
If you would like us to obtain an Extract from the Patek Philippe archives for you please inquire. Patek charges 500 CHF.
Patek Philippe:
Patek Philippe bears the standard of the finest watch manufacturer in the world and holds world records for the most expensive watches in the world.
During the 1890's, Patek Philippe produced fewer than approximately twenty watches per day (contrast this with Omega and other fine watch manufacturers that produced 500 - 1,200 pieces per day) making original examples very rare and collectable.
- Manufacturer: Patek Philippe
- Country of origin: Switzerland, specially made for a premier U.S. retailer
- Serial no.: 91,087
- Date built: c. first half of the 1890's
- Functions: Hours, Minutes, Subsidiary Seconds
- Designed for: Men
- Case material: 18K gold
- Case markings (inside): 87921, 14K, Duhme & Co.
- Case condition: Near mint plus with a couple of pin pricks in the back, only light wear, and strong hinges.
- Dial: Original, untouched dial presents as mint to the naked eye
- Hands: Original, blue steel, "spades" toned from a deep blue to a wonderful slight purple, excellent condition
- Movement type: Extremely high grade keyless pocket chronometer, signed Patek Philippe, rhodium plated, straight line “moustache” lever escapement, cut bimetallic compensation balance, blued steel Breguet balance spring, Wilmot’s patented micrometer cam regulator, wolf’s tooth winding wheels
- Movement markings: Patek Philippe & Co. Geneve, No. 91,087, Duhme & Co. Cincinnati Ohio
- Serviced: One of our Master Watchmakers has disassembled it down to its last screw and serviced it making it ready for immediate enjoyment.
- Timing: Timed to precision on a state-of-the-art computerized system. Your watch is important to us, and we will take care of it for its lifetime. We provide the best after sale care in the business with an extremely experienced team of four Master Watchmakers all of whom each have over thirty-five years of experience and a large number of parts. One used to be the watchmaker for an authorized Rolex dealership and was given special training by Rolex at their Beverly Hills Service Center.
- Warranty: 1-year international warranty. Please email [email protected] for details.
- Box/Papers: BOX - Connoisseur of Time watch presentation box; PAPERS - Custom printed Connoisseur of Time Certificate of Authenticity
- Returns: 7 days full refund. 100% satisfaction guarantee
