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Spring sale of Important Watches in May
19 Mar '08
3 min read
Count Carlo Felice Trossi (pictured on the left wearing the present watch) was born into an aristocratic Italian family 100 years ago on 27th April 1908. Captivated by the possibilities of speed, Count Trossi was a motor car and speed boat racer as well as an early pioneer of flight. In 1932 he became the President of Ferrari Scuderia. The highlights of Trossi's motoring career culminated in his wins at the Italian and Swiss Grand Prix respectively in the years 1947 and 1948.
The over-sized Patek Philippe chronograph, measuring 46 millimetres in diameter, is most probably unique and is one of the largest wristwatches ever made by the company. It was clearly specially chosen by Count Trossi as a practical timekeeper for use in motor racing and aviation to assist with the accurate timing of events in a highly visible format.
In later years, aviators' wristwatches were typically large in size and very few were made by Patek Philippe. Only one other wristwatch of similar size by Patek Philippe has appeared on the auction market and that was manufactured some 20 years later with a substantially smaller movement.
The present wristwatch was worn by Count Trossi on the outside of his shirt cuff to further assist with its use in racing and aviation – indeed, a photograph from 1938 survives which shows Count Trossi wearing this watch in the same manner (illustration above). Interestingly, the wearing of a wristwatch on the outside of shirt cuffs has recently become fashionable, particularly in Italy.
Click here to view more:
The over-sized Patek Philippe chronograph, measuring 46 millimetres in diameter, is most probably unique and is one of the largest wristwatches ever made by the company. It was clearly specially chosen by Count Trossi as a practical timekeeper for use in motor racing and aviation to assist with the accurate timing of events in a highly visible format.
In later years, aviators' wristwatches were typically large in size and very few were made by Patek Philippe. Only one other wristwatch of similar size by Patek Philippe has appeared on the auction market and that was manufactured some 20 years later with a substantially smaller movement.
The present wristwatch was worn by Count Trossi on the outside of his shirt cuff to further assist with its use in racing and aviation – indeed, a photograph from 1938 survives which shows Count Trossi wearing this watch in the same manner (illustration above). Interestingly, the wearing of a wristwatch on the outside of shirt cuffs has recently become fashionable, particularly in Italy.
Click here to view more:
Sotheby's Holdings Inc
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