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Patek Philippe Skeletonized Handbook Ref. 3886 watches copy , circa 1982Back from the 1990s although I had been working at an auction house, a look at collector confirmed me the ‘secret&rsquo swiss rolex copy ; to seeing if a skeleton replica watch was truly well-made. He took off his skeletonized, ultra-thin manual wristwatch and proceeded to bend the entire look at to show me how he could make it stop ticking. Once it stopped, he proudly released the tension and the enjoy continued to run… To this day, I am horrified by this act of cruelty committed on this seemingly acrobatic marvel of watchmaking.
Patek Philippeproduced what are recognized as some of the finest skeleton replica watches ever made during the 1980s and early 1990s. Each timepiece was meticulously hand-engraved in gold leaving a delicate, thin and mesmerizing combination of miniscule bridges and wheels. Automatic versions such as the Ref. 3878 used the Caliber 240 (2.4 mm thick) while the handbook versions, including the Refs. 3880, 3883, and 3886, included the Caliber 177 (1.77 mm thick). One can only admire and wonder how the engraver signed the movement with the words ‘Patek Philippe Geneva’ and a seven digit movement number on a bridge less than 2 mm wide.
After discontinuing regular production of skeleton replica watches in the mid-1990s, Patek did not reintroduce them until the Baselworld show in 2008. The new, breitling knockoffs and extremely rare, 18k white gold Ref. 5180/1 bracelet observe features a rhodium finished gold skeletonized automatic Caliber 240 sandwiched between two blue tinted sapphire crystals.
A few days ago, I called the collector who oncetortured his skeleton watchto see what he is up to these days. He said all is well and that he has since stopped his bad habit of bending skeleton replica watches after a ratherunfortunate incident… and he has sincefocused on collecting coins rather than replica watches!