To be sure, some the earliest chronographs were "inking" and used ink to mark elapsed time
But I had never seen a Patek inking chronograph until this sale.
According to Christie's, Patek made 98 inking http://www.syrauto.co.uk/cartier-pasha-replica-uk.html chronographs in total across two series: the first series was produced from 1878 to 1880 and the second from 1891 to 1892. However, only six inking chronographs total have appeared on the market to date.
This particular silver model comes with an extract http://www.syrauto.co.uk/tag-heuer-formula-1-replica-uk.html noting its production in 1879 as well as the original fitted presentation box with two spaces for the tubes containing spare ink and oil. This is just such a cool piece of history.
This lot includes Adrien Philippe's original 1891 U.S. patent for his watch bridge, a bronze coin from 1901 celebrating the re-organization of the company, and a 1939 booklet, numbered 532 of 1500, celebrating the 100th Anniversary of Patek Philippe.
The star of this lot is certainly the patent. http://www.syrauto.co.uk/tag-heuer-monaco-replica-uk.html According to Christie's, "The exceptionally rare patent, presented here for the first time since its discovery in the United States, is the actual document that allowed Patek Philippe to claim the patent for the famous Chronometro Gondolo calibre made for retailer Gondolo & Labouriau. In fact, the patent date of 13 January 1891 is prominently engraved on the majority of these movements made in the late 19th and early 20th century."
The patent is also signed by Adrien Philippe, who passed away in 1894. As mentioned, this patent was amazingly found on eBay of all places.