Patek Philippe - The Hong Kong Watch Auction: FIVE Hong Kong Monday, November 27, 2017 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Patek Philippe
    Year: 1954
    Reference No: 2497
    Movement No: 888'076
    Case No: 683'315
    Model Name: 'Secondi al Centro'
    Material: 18k gold
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 27SC Q, 18 jewels, stamped twice with the Geneva Seal
    Bracelet/Strap: Black Patek Philippe crocodile strap
    Clasp/Buckle: Associated gilt buckle
    Dimensions: 37mm diameter
    Signed: Case, dial and movement signed
    Accessories: With Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch in 1956 and its subsequent sale on May 25, 1956.

  • Catalogue Essay

    Two of the most appreciated Patek Philippe vintage models are the perpetual calendar chronographs ref. 1518 and 2499. However, alongside these two iconic models, Patek Philippe also released non-chronograph versions of the timepieces: reference 1526 and the present reference 2497 (and its waterproof twin 2438/1), featuring case and dial designs very closely resembling their chronograph counterparts.

    Reference 2497 is in fact one of the rarest vintage perpetual calendar models made by Patek Philippe. It is distinguished by the sweep centre seconds, the only vintage perpetual calendar made by the brand to feature this detail. The uniqueness of this detail earned its Italian nickname "Secondi al Centro". In order to achieve this, Patek Philippe modified a batch of their exquisite calibre 27SC which is counted among the greatest movements of the past century, (SC standing in fact for Seconde au Centre)and was later renamed to 27SC Q - Q for quantième: perpetual. An analysis of the movement numbers highlights how Patek Philippe itself had very strong feelings for the reference: a unique case for the Maison's vintage perpetual calendars, all the movement numbers for reference 2497 and 2438/1 are sequential: 180 calibre 27SC were upgraded, with movement numbers between 888'000 and 888'179. About 115 of these were used for reference 2497, the remaining for ref. 2438/1, thus effectively making these two models the scarcest vintage perpetual calendars serially produced by Patek Philippe.

    The dial as well could be considered as a masterpiece of design. Since the 1920s, Patek Philippe followed the Bauhaus dictate of "form follows function", and the dial of reference 2497 is without a doubt one of its most successful application. The wealth of information of the calendar is arranged in an extremely clean and readable way. The fifth of a second combined with Arabic five minutes divisions - typical of pieces from earlier decades - are present, but the elimination of the railway-style and tachymetre scale grants the ensemble more levity.

    The present watch - absent from the auction scene for nearly 20 years, having last been publicly seen in 1998 - is a rare occasion for the discerning collector to acquire one of the rarest, attractive and refined Patek Philippe timepieces from the past century.

  • Artist Biography

    Patek Philippe

    Swiss • 1839

    Since its founding in 1839, this famous Geneva-based firm has been surprising its clientele with superbly crafted timepieces fitted with watchmaking's most prestigious complications. Traditional and conservative designs are found across Patek Philippe's watches made throughout their history — the utmost in understated elegance.

    Well-known for the Graves Supercomplication — a highly complicated pocket watch that was the world’s most complicated watch for 50 years — this family-owned brand has earned a reputation of excellence around the world. Patek's complicated vintage watches hold the highest number of world records for results achieved at auction compared with any other brand. For collectors, key models include the reference 1518, the world's first serially produced perpetual calendar chronograph, and its successor, the reference 2499. Other famous models include perpetual calendars such as the ref. 1526, ref. 3448 and 3450, chronographs such as the reference 130, 530 and 1463, as well as reference 1436 and 1563 split seconds chronographs. Patek is also well-known for their classically styled, time-only "Calatrava" dress watches, and the "Nautilus," an iconic luxury sports watch first introduced in 1976 as the reference 3700 that is still in production today.

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964

Ref. 2497
An extremely fine and rare gold perpetual calendar wristwatch with sweep centre seconds and moon phase

1954
37mm diameter
Case, dial and movement signed

Estimate
HK$800,000 - 1,200,000 
€87,000-131,000
$100,000-150,000

Sold for HK$1,112,500

Contact Specialist
Ziyong Ho
Specialist
+852 9386 2032
yong.ho@phillips.com

The Hong Kong Watch Auction: FIVE

Hong Kong Auction 28 November 2017