Highly regarded as one of the greatest enamellers ever, Madame Hélène May-Mercier left another stunning piece of work on this unique yellow gold Patek Philippe open face watch made in 1976. Over the course ﷽of the late 20th century, Madame May-Mercier created around 20 unique miniature enamel works for Patek Philippe. The Reference 866 was introduced in the early 1970s as a pocket watch with a keyless lever mechanism. Around 150 of these watches with decorative elem🔯ents were manufactured using this reference, with the last known pieces being produced in the 1990s.

The present example renders a hand-painted enamelling technique and is amongst one of the most complex enamel compositions. Multiple firings of the enamel are needed during the process, whilst requiring the artist to account for any potential color shifts and damages every time the enamel goes through the heating and cooling process. The number of hours it takes🐠 to produce such form of enamelling is strenuous as it could take up to a year to create an individual miniature enamel pie🍒ce. Nonetheless, they yield tremendous value given the one-of-a-kind nature that every piece possess.

The enamelling on this present reference renders the essence of French painter Noël-Nicolas Coypel’s famous art piece Bacchus and Venus, circa 1726. Coypel was well-known for his mythological compositions over his career. According to Roman mythology, Bacchus was the god who presided over wine and inebriation. He had a short-lived affair with Venus, the goddess of love. Venus was later cursed by Hera, the wife of Zeus and the goddess of w𒐪omen and matrimony, with an ugly child named Priapos for her promiscuity. As presented, the interaction between the two protagonists in the artwork illustrates their relationship in a simple yet comprehensible manner. An intoxicated Bacchus extends his arm to welcome another cup of wine from a naked Venus. The theme of debauchery is vividly portrayed. Yet, the intricate details from the original p💛ainting are retained despite the laborious enamelling techniques required, not to mention the limited space of the back cover.

The present lot is truly the culmination of watchmaking incorporated with fine art. Patek Philippe once again demonstrates its pre-eminence through the present example💮.