2. Patek Philippe. An extremely rare and fine 18K gold open face keyless wind pocket watch with duplex escapement Date: Manufactured in 1847, purchased September 22nd 1849 Movement: Gilt duplex escapement, cut and compensated bi-metallic balance, No.2596 Dial: White, black Roman numeral hour markers, black outer minute track, off-set subsidiary seconds dial at 5, blued steel Breguet style hands Case: Polished hinged round, coin edged band, fine vermicelle engravings with cartouche to back, No.2596 Accompaniments: Extract from the Archives Patek Philippe are renowned for presenting some of the most sublime horological masterpieces the world has ever seen. This very fine pocket watch, No.2596, is an exceptionally rare timepiece featuring a dual escapement system and an off-set subsidiary dial for seconds. The escapement of a movement is the device placed between the gear train and the regulating organ and designed to interrupt the movement of the wheels at regular intervals and periodically distribute the energy to the balance wheel. The Duplex escapement is characterised by an escape wheel with two sets of teeth, which means that friction is less pronounced, making it much more precise than the cylinder escapement. The model shown here has this escapement mechanism. Made in 1847, this model also has a decentralised seconds subsidiary dial which gives a very interesting asymmetrical character.