MK Personal Collection Unique 18K Center Sweep Seconds Officers Watch By Patek Philippe Circa 1917

MK Personal Collection Unique 18K Center Sweep Seconds Officers Watch By Patek Philippe Circa 1917. This is a very fine and early 18K yellow gold wristwatch by Patek Philippe. The watch has a sweep center seconds with an enamel dial with large Arabic luminescent numerals and framed with 60 minute outer chapter ring (unique). The watch has a three piece 18K yellow gold circular case signed "PPCo" with Swiss hallmarks stamped on the inside back and the back of the lugs as well (Serial # 293.568). The watch measures 44.00mm lug to lug x 34.00mm without the crown. The watch has a high grade Swiss nickel plated indirect center sweep second movement by Patek Philippe featuring a 17 jewel rhodium-plated movement with fausses cotes decoration, straight line lever escapement, cut bimetallic balance and self-compensating Breguet balance spring topped with a micrometer regulator (Serial # 171.326). The movement is in running condition. It is topped with an original white porcelain Sector dial with large Arabic Indexes, highly unusual 60 second chapter ring to be used in collaboration with the sweep seconds (early pilots?). Please note the dial does have a hairline crack. This model, commonly known as an officer's wristwatch, gets its name from the fact that timepieces of this style were used by military personnel on both sides of the conflict in the First World War. The enamel dial, the relatively small size, the simple shape of these pieces and the use of a cuvette harken back to the pendant watches from whence they evolved. Indeed, the main differences between these early watches and their forebears are the lugs and strap as well as the crown's new position at 3 o'clock for ease of winding.