3-Watch Thursday #60
We back.
Good morning team,
Welcome to edition number 60! It took us a while to get from #59 to #60, but we’re here not which I guess is all that matters.1
The format below is the same as ever, at least 3 watch related things, I’ve read/seen/enjoyed that I figure you might also like to read/see/enjoy.
So without further ado, let’s get straight in :))
The Key To Master Case Makers For Patek Philippe
Looking backwards, I can’t remember if I’ve recommended this article before, but I really need to start reading more from Collectability, and so do you.
In a deep dive on Patek case makers, Tania Edwards covers the most common case makers used by Patek from 1934 to the early 2000s - nearly every watch you’re probably interested in.
For almost all cases, a key with a number inside was used on the caseback as in the image above. The main exception being Jean-Pierre Hagmann using JHP as a marker on the outer side of the case (as we see with other JHP cases from the likes of Blancpain).
Sometimes a key wasn’t used, instead a hammer with a number inside on the caseback. This is effectively the same, just a number in a different shape.
Go check out the full article here, with some pretty iconic watches and a who’s who of 20th century casemakers.
Interestingly, the Nautilus case is mentioned and reference to a technical drawing is made. Ateliers Réunis produced the first Nautilus cases following Gay Frères’ shut down after making the first prototype.
Having done a fair amount more patent work in the last 4 months, the technical drawing above quite obviously appeared to be from a patent application. CH 607869 B made it through to grant.
I don’t think I’d ever really contemplated that the Nautilus case shape was ever protected, but then it seems obvious in hindsight.
The patent clearly has Patek Philippe SA listed as the applicant, but the inventor is listed as Philippe Stern. To me this seems odd as I was under the impression that Jean-Pierre Frattini made Genta’s drawings work, likely making Frattini the inventor.
If anyone can shed some light on this topic and the role Philippe Stern was in around the time the Nautilus was developed, please feel free to get in touch.
On a similar vein to case makers, I wanted to highlight the knowledge that Watches and Guinness is sharing on his Instagram stories relating to dials and buckles.
All still on his highlights and well worth checking out here.
Seven Fascinating Seiko Concept Watches At The Seiko ‘Incredibly Specialised Watch Exhibition‘
I haven’t really seen anyone else reporting on this much other than A Blog To Watch.
I know we’re in a bit of a slow watch news patch in the new year ahead of the new releases, but I was entirely unaware of this product design project that Seiko run.
Starting in 2001 then suspended in 2009, it came back in 2022 the goal is to get product designers designing the Seiko watches of the future. The theme this year was ‘incredibly specialised watches‘ which is typically read as tool watches.
Each of the 7 that A Blog To Watch report on is clearly designed for purpose, whether that be diving, a masking tape obsession, sewing or hide and seek.
When a project like this comes together with such breadth in creative ideas, it’s a testament to the versatility that is afforded with Seiko watches.
It’s a really fun thing to have read up on and I urge you to smile while you read it here.
Rolex Prices In 1968
Only the gentleman dealer himself, Eric Wind and team could pull of this article.
Not long by any means, but an enjoyable read simply because there’s a Wind Vintage product listing image for nearly every reference on the price sheets!
That’s all for this week. I hope you enjoyed the short read.
See you next week and have a great weekend.
Owen
It is also a Friday not a Thursday but alas, we back.