Patek Philippe. An unusual, fine and exceptionally rare 18K gold manual wind asymmetrical wristwatch
Model: Gilbert Albert
Reference: 3422
Date: Circa 1960
Movement: 18-jewel Cal.99 P manual wind, adjusted to 5 positions, No.861415
Dial: Silvered, enamel signature, black sectored hour markers, gilt pointed baton hands
Case: Brushed and polished asymmetric rhomboid form, snap on back, No.2615624, inside bezel No.24
Strap/Bracelet: Fitted black Patek Philippe alligator leather
Buckle/Clasp: Signed 18K gold buckle
Signed: Case, dial & movement
Size: 30mm x 31mm
Footnotes:
Gilbert Albert was born in Geneva in 1930. After studying Jewellery and Design at Geneva's Ecole des Arts Industriels, in 1955 and at only the tender age of 24, his design talents were spotted and he was approached by Patek Philippe to design some prototype wristwatch cases. Inspired by his favourite artists Brancusi, a modernist sculptor, and Mondrian, a non-representational painter, Albert defied the conventional way of designing watch cases. He incorporated asymmetrical and rhombic forms in his watches and the result was simple, sophisticated, and purely artistic designs. Many of Albert's innovative designs for Patek Philippe, such as Ref. 3412-3413, remained prototypes and were never manufactured in series because of the uncertain commercial success of his daring design.

The current example is a reference 3422 which was in production for just 4 short years from 1960 to 1964. The case was made by Markowski and the dial by Stern Freres. It is understood that only 18 examples of this reference were created in yellow gold with a further approximate 5 in rose gold. Of the 4 rhomboid-esque references Albert designed, the 3422 is one of the rarest. His unconventional case designs are considered as exciting and innovative today as they were 70 years ago.

This particular example has never been offered at auction before and is offered on behalf of the family of the original owner. In honest condition, this really is a rare opportunity to acquire a timepiece representative of a period of design exploration and creativity from one of the most desirable manufactures in the world. The small production number made only expounds this point further - this is not something that comes up at auction every day.
This lot is subject to the following lot symbols: Y
Y Subject to CITES regulations when exporting items outside of the EU, see clause 13.