A Look At JB Champion’s Unique Observatory Chronometer Wristwatch: The OTHER Patek With A Chance To Become The Most Expensive Watch In The World replica watches

While Eric Clapton’s platinum fake Patek Philippe 2499 perpetual calendar chronograph (which Ben explained in detail here) is arguably the “coolest” watch for sale this weekend in Geneva, and an expensive one at that, with estimates pushing $2.5m to $4.2m, there is a very real chance it might not actually be the most expensive. The Clapton 2499 has a lot of things going for it, but lot 88 in the very same sale has one thing the 2499 does not – lot no 88 is completely unique, and according to some of the most astute collectors in the world, this is THE watch, above even the Clapton 2499. Let’s see what makes this watch so special.

During the pre-war years, Patek Philippe did practice the art of piece uniques for special clients like Henry Graves and James Ward Packard. After the war, the most VIP of all Patek clients was likely J.B. Champion. Champion was one of the most successful criminal defense attorneys of his time, and an astute collector of Pateks and Vacherons. But this is what makes this particular special order so compelling, and valuable.

Patek Philippe, like all watchmakers, is in the habit of making watches to sell. Occasionally, they will make a movement simply for research, testing, or competition. Patek Philippe made a handful of movements specifically designed for competition in the Geneva Observatory “Concours de Chromoetrie.” These movements were built to very specific specifications, and in order to compete in Category D – Wristwatches, the diameter of the movement musn’t exceed 30mm and have a total surface of 706.86mm. These movements were built and finished to the firm’s highest standards, to a point where it was beyond anything that was commercially justifiable.

Patek is said to have made 30 of these uber-movements, and only two were ever cased. This is the only one in platinum, and it was done especially for JB Champion. This particular movement came in 3rd place at the 1948 Concours de Chromoetrie and features a large brass/invar Guillaume balance, mounted by a blued steel Breguet spiral, and it is stamped twice with the Geneva seal, reflecting the absolute highest caliber movement Patek ever put into a wristwatch case. Considering these movements are tested and compete in small wooden boxes, it was up to Champion to pick his case, and he chose reference 2458 (modified to fit this movement, of course) and in platinum.

Champion ordered a special dial, complete with “Made Especially For JB Champion” at 6 o’clock (PS, we DARE someone to ask for a similar dial from Patek today…) and a secondary “tuxedo dial” with diamond hour markers. The JP Champion platinum Observatory Chronometer is considered one of the most sought after and valuable Patek Philippes in private hands, and considering its mechanical prowess (as compared to the Platinum 2499’s other strengths), this watch has a chance of becoming one of the most expensive replica watches sold publicly. The 2499 is an undeniable cool watch, but so is this, and from a technical and historical standpoint, with this unique movement finished to the absolute highest standards, we think it will attract just as much attention from serious buyers. We’ll find out this Sunday. www.hi-replicawatches.com

JB Champion’s unique, special order Patek Philippe Observatory Chronometer Wristwatch cased in platinum, which holds a movement that placed third in the 1948 Geneva Observatory trials, referred to simply as “No. 861,121”, has a pre-sale estimate of about $2.1-$4.3 million. For more details, click here.