At the Important Watches auction on June 11, Christie’s will be auctioning the historically significant Stephen S. Palmer Patek Philippe Grand Complication No. 97912. The watch, estimated at $1,000,000 – 1,500,000, is a grand complication featuring a minute repeater, perpetual calendar, split-seconds chronograph, grande and petite sonnerie, and moon phases, manufactured in 1898.
Until the appearance of the watch, originally purchased by collector Stephen S. Palmer, it was believed that Patek Philippe did not create its first Grand Complicaiton until 1910. It is also the only example known to have been cased in pink gold, whereas all following pieces were cased in yellow gold. The watch, never before seen in public, will be unveiled at Christie’s Rockefeller Center saleroom.
My husband Wiley and I graduated in 1951 from Stephen S Palmer High School in Palmerton, Pennsylvania. Steven S. Palmer donated a great deal of money to subsidize the building of our school. I believe he also isubsidized the building of a University in New Jersey but as I am now 80 and do not remember details. I do believe that he gave “quietly” and did not seek publicity.
The Graves Super Complication will also be at auction soon, last sold for 11.9 million!,!!!
My prediction is that this horological timeless masterpiece will surpass the $2 million mark!
wow . what a fantastic watch.madein.1898.and.stil.looks.new.good.luck.to.the.new.owner