I · The Instrument/II · The Design/III · The Collector's Piece/IV · Acquisition
Room I · The Instrument
Made for Geneva's own service benches
A piece of Patek Philippe workshop history: the MULTICAPT, a professional electronic timing and testing instrument Swiss made and signed by Patek Philippe for use in the maison's own Geneva service centre and its authorised workshop network. Circa 1970 to 1975. It sits at the intersection of two horological cultures, Swiss high watchmaking and bench electronics, and forms part of a small family of Patek-branded workshop instruments.
Its analog meter is signed by Neuberger, the Munich instrument firm Josef Neuberger founded in 1904, and the rear plate is stamped MOD 40 788 and SWISS MADE. The Multicapt name covers a small family of Patek Philippe bench instruments of the 1970s, recorded under model numbers 40 735 and 40 788. This one was made for the years when Patek's service benches had to handle both its high-grade mechanical movements and the Beta 21 quartz calibres of the early 1970s.
Its analog meter is signed by Neuberger, the Munich instrument firm Josef Neuberger founded in 1904, and the rear plate is stamped MOD 40 788 and SWISS MADE. The Multicapt name covers a small family of Patek Philippe bench instruments of the 1970s, recorded under model numbers 40 735 and 40 788. This one was made for the years when Patek's service benches had to handle both its high-grade mechanical movements and the Beta 21 quartz calibres of the early 1970s.
Room II · The Design
Every control set for the watches of its decade
The unit's function is dictated by the era it was built for. Its rate-timing mode carries a <36,000 / >36,000 vibration-per-hour switch, so that it can time high-beat movements at 36,000 alongside conventional 18,000 to 28,800 bph mechanicals. Its VOLTAGE selector, with positions at 1.35 V and 1.55 V and a variable setting, matches the cell voltages of the earliest quartz calibres, the Beta 21 module Patek Philippe had helped develop, and the electronic pieces that followed through the 1970s.
The analog multimeter, a Neuberger-signed face reading volts, microamps and kilohms, is the hallmark of Neuberger's long tradition of precision measurement. The CAPT / AUXILIARY / CURRENT input selector routes the incoming signal from the appropriate probe or lead, and the RESET button clears readings between watches. A red illuminated ON button confirms the state of the mains supply.
The analog multimeter, a Neuberger-signed face reading volts, microamps and kilohms, is the hallmark of Neuberger's long tradition of precision measurement. The CAPT / AUXILIARY / CURRENT input selector routes the incoming signal from the appropriate probe or lead, and the RESET button clears readings between watches. A red illuminated ON button confirms the state of the mains supply.
Room III · The Collector's Piece
The bench behind the watches
This is a working instrument, not a display object, although it displays beautifully. The blue anodised brushed aluminium fascia is unmarked, its silkscreen labels crisp. The grey-textured coated steel case shows sharp edges throughout. The Nixie tube display powers on cleanly to its red readout. The analog meter needle rests correctly at zero.
Patek Philippe's workshop equipment was made not for the wrist but for the benches that kept the maison's watches running. This is a 1970s electronic instrument carrying the Patek Philippe name alongside the Neuberger signature, still working and still in its original condition: not the watch, but the bench that serviced it.
Patek Philippe's workshop equipment was made not for the wrist but for the benches that kept the maison's watches running. This is a 1970s electronic instrument carrying the Patek Philippe name alongside the Neuberger signature, still working and still in its original condition: not the watch, but the bench that serviced it.
Housing
Excellent
Coated steel case with silver-grey textured finish. Sharp edges throughout. No dents, no significant scuffing.
Fascia
Excellent
Blue anodised brushed aluminium. Unmarked. Silkscreen labels crisp and legible.
Display
Excellent
Powers on cleanly. Red Nixie tube readout active.
Meter
Excellent
Neuberger-signed face. Needle rests correctly at zero. Responds when powered.
Controls
Excellent
All original switches, buttons and knobs. Firm feel, no dead detents.
Working State
Very Good
Powers on. Display and meter respond. Timing function not tested without CAPT probe.
Accessories
Power cable only
No manual, no probe, no original box.
- Type
- Electronic watchmaker's timing and testing instrument
- Model
- MULTICAPT, model 40 788, series 751171
- Retailer / Brand
- Patek Philippe, Genève
- Meter
- Signed Neuberger, Munich
- Date
- C.1970-1975
- Country of manufacture
- Switzerland
- Case material
- Coated steel with blue anodised brushed aluminium fascia
- Dimensions
- Approximately 33 by 25 by 11 cm
- Functions
- Mechanical watch rate timing (MECH mode), Voltage selector (1.35 V / 1.55 V / variable), Analog multimeter (V, μA, kΩ)
- Power
- Mains
- Accessories included
- Power cable only
The Estate Collection
Room IV · Acquisition
€4.500
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Patek Philippe
€4.500
Enquiry
Patek Multicapt, c.1975
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