Reference 843 / 844

Distinguished by its architectural, modernist case and dial design reduced to a minimalist level, reference 843 is one of Patek Philippe's greatest post war designs for complicated pocket watches. The model is best known for its so-called "American calendar", derived from the arrangement of the calendar indication, starting with month, date and day of the week as opposed to the European date, month and day of the week sequence. Also known as linear calendar or digital calendar display, it was introduced with references 699/2 and 699/5 in the mid-1950s and later evolved into the references 843 and 844.

Of very similar style, only differing by size and minor case or dial details, references 843 and 844 were made in an exceedingly small series only, the vast majority in yellow gold. According to research, only 19 examples of references 843 & 844 including one white gold example have appeared publicly to date. Furthermore, the present watch movement is stamped HOX, indicating it was made exclusively for the American market. To the best of our knowledge this watch has never before been offered in public.

For the illustration and description of reference 844 with movement no. 861'100 see Patek Philippe Museum - Patek Philippe Watches - Volume I, p. 387, Inv. P-700.

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