Pre-Owned Patek Philippe Pocket Watches Ref. 866

Patek Philippe introduced ref. 866 in the early 1970s as a keyless-lever, open-face pocket watch, and production continued into the 1990s. The reference is commonly associated with a 47 mm yellow-gold case and a manually wound 17-line movement, usually cal. 17-170. Its importance extends beyond the plain execution with white Roman-numeral dial and subsidiary seconds. Patek Philippe used ref. 866 as a platform for miniature enamel, engraving, chasing, and other decorative arts, so the reference number covers substantially different watches rather than one uniform design. Documented works include landscapes, portraits, hunting scenes, and historical subjects by artists such as Marthe Bischoff, Suzanne Rohr, Hélène May-Mercier, and G. Menni. Christie's has reported approximately 150 decorated examples, with the last known pieces produced during the 1990s. Individual watches also have unusually specific histories: ref. 866/77 was produced in 1976, encased the following year, and sold in 1993, while the Patek Philippe Museum records its ref. 866/69 as never having been sold. This combination of traditional pocket-watch architecture, scarce artistic executions, and detailed archival records makes ref. 866 particularly compelling to collectors of Patek Philippe's decorative work. Every watch is authenticated and backed by The 1916 Company's 2-year warranty.