The Henry Graves Patek Philippe Supercomplication Calibre 89,the $11million master timepiece
The Henry Graves Patek Philippe Supercomplication Calibre 89,the $11million master timepiece
The Henry Graves Supercomplication Calibre 89
Patek Philippe & Co., Geneva, no. 198385, started in 1928, completed in 1932 and delivered on January 19, 1933
diameter 74mm; thickness of case with glass 36 mm; weight of case 535 grammes (approx. 1lb.3 oz.)
was sold at Sotheby’s for 11,002,500 USD in 2007
When two powerful men in the U.S.A., vied with one another to order and acquire exceptional watches, either for their time-keeping qualities or their complexity. Interestingly enough, both chose Patek Philippe as their principal source of supply. Thus started a fascinating 'contest' between two friendly gentlemen who were nevertheless arch-rivals in the field of horology.
The first, Henry Graves, Jr. of New York was essentially a sportsman and collector; but fortuitously born into a private banking family. The second was James Ward Packard of Warren, Ohio, the automobile manufacturer.
First one, then the other of these two gentlemen would order timepieces with multiple horological from Patek Philippe in Geneva. By 1916, Packard had edged in front of Henry Graves, Jr. in his bid to own the finest and most complex watch in the world. Indeed, in January of that year he took delivery of an impressive pocket-watch made by Patek Philippe (history)and which incorporated sixteen horological complications. Again, in April 1927 a further stunning pocket-watch with ten complications, including a celestial-chart, was delivered to James Ward Packard by Patek Philippe. However, neither piece could claim to be the most complicated watch ever made.
For Henry Graves, Jr., ever the sportsman and competitor, the challenge was irresistible. Unhesitatingly he returned to the 'contest' with renewed vigour. In strictest secrecy he once more approached Patek Philippe in Geneva with a monumental request, namely: to plan and construct "the most complicated watch...and, in any-case, certainly more complicated than that of Mr. Packard!"
The master-watchmakers at Patek Philippe, undaunted, returned to their respective shops to ponder this -challenge. In the event, and by modern-day standards, the end result was arrived at quickly. Indeed, 'only' five years were necessary, between 1928-1933, to research, develop and produce the chef-d'oeuvre ordered by Henry Graves, Jr. from Patek Philippe. The watch was delivered to Henry Graves, Jr. on 19th January 1933.
Nevertheless, exhaustive studies in the realms of astronomy, mathematics and precision mechanisms were necessary to achieve what then became the 'world's most complicated timepiece', incorporating twenty-four horological complications. The 'Graves' watch retained that title for an impressive long time; fifty six years in all.
Patek Philippe & Co. (PP) is a Swiss luxury watch manufacturer located in Geneva and the Vallée de Joux.
