A 'pateck genève' 18k yellow gold open face pocket watch, late 19thc

Engine-turned case with engraved cartouche, cuvette signed 'Pateck Genève, ancre ligne droite, 15 rubis, spiral Breguet'. 'Pateck' was an imitation signature used about 1880-1890 by Armand Schwob & Frère of La Chaux-de-Fonds to trade on the Patek Philippe name. The deception was uncovered in Belgium: at the 1885 Universal Exposition in Antwerp, Adrien Philippe, presiding over the watchmaking jury, discovered the 'Pateck' watches in the Schwob display. The resulting lawsuit became the first trademark case before the Swiss courts, ending in 1891 with a 15.000 franc fine and the firm's bankruptcy. Diameter: approx. 46mm Total weight: 70 g Liveveiling: het getoonde tijdstip is de start van de zaalverkoop; het individuele afhamermoment is niet gepubliceerd.