Patek Philippe By Gilbert Albert 1960 Swiss Very Important Ring In 18Kt Gold With Natural Pearl
A magnificent ring designed by Gilbert Albert (1930-2019) for Patek Philippe.
This extremely rare piece was created in Switzerland back in the 1960 by the talented jeweler-artist Gilbert Albert for the Patek Philippe Company. A one-of a-kind piece, called in that time, "Pepites avec Perle" (nugget with pearl) crafted in solid 18 karats of yellow, rose and white gold, with heavily textured surfaces.
The technique used to realize this piece is extremely difficult, because each gold elements need to be placed together, piece by piece forming the organized geometric effect of the final composition.
Is embellished at top, with a natural large white pearl of 13.5 mm by 18.2 mm.
Has a total weight of 40.7 grams and the actual ring size is 7, sizeable. The top view measures are 30 mm by 28 mm (1.18 x 1.10 Inches).
Stamped, with the maker's mark PP for Patek Philippe, the swiss gold assay hallmarks and signed, "PP CO. .750", all inside a cartouche.
Christies notes: "It was designed by the famous Geneva jeweler Gilbert Albert in the 1961, who was awarded for this creation called "Pépites avec Perles" or "gold nuggets with pearls" the "Prix de la Ville de Genève de la Montre et de la Joaillerie" in the category "Montre dame bijou, sans pierres" on 9 September 1960."
Note: This ring was designed En-suite, with a wristwatch that was made in Switzerland back in 1960 and sold at Christie's Geneva, on may 18 2004.
Literature: Christies, Geneva Swiss, Sale catalogue, May 18 2004 Lot-41, realized 230,400 SF. For similar examples.
Exhibitions: Geneva 1960, Expo a la Ville de Geneva de la Montre et de la Joaillerie.
Provenance: The Princess Windisch-Graetz, A private collection in Luxemburg.
Gilbert Albert, born in Geneva, Switzerland in 1930, is a jewelry designer and one of the most influential jeweler artist of the 20th and 21th century with more than 10 world award winning prizes. He made important sculptural jewelry works for the Patek Philippe company and he worked there as part of the designer team.
He was head of the workshop from the 1955 to 1962, during which time he designed his signature asymmetrical watches for the company. Mr. Albert took his inspiration from his passion for modern art, notably works by Brancusi and Mondrian. In 1962 after leaving the Patek Philippe Co, he founded and opened his own firm at rue de la Corraterie in Geneva where one of his workshops is located still today. He also worked for the Omega SA Watch Company. Recently he opened boutique stores in Paris and New York city. He passed away in 2019.
Princess Windisch-Graetz, was a lady with exceptional taste and very "avant-garde" before her time. She used to buy most of her clothes in Paris and was one of Hungary's most fashionable women. The Princess and her husband, Vinzenz Windisch-Graetz, lived in several metropoles such as Amsterdam, Singapore, New Delhi, Cairo, Rome and Vienna. A multi-lingual globetrotter, she visited over 30 countries and started to paint at the age of 50.
It is in perfect condition, with great eye appeal and should be a great addition to any important jewelry collection.
INVENTORY REF: R0000SETN/.9783
