Patek Philippe - Geneva Watch Auction: TWO Geneva Saturday, November 7, 2015 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Patek Philippe
    Year: 1983
    Reference No: 2499/100
    Movement No: 869'270
    Case No: 2'792'126
    Material: 18k yellow gold
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 13'''-130, 23 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Crocodile
    Clasp/Buckle: Yellow gold pin buckle by PPCo
    Dimensions: 38mm. Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by Patek Philippe Certificate of Origin stamped January 1984 by Gübelin AG Lucerne, Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch in 1983 and its subsequent sale on December 22nd, 1983, red Patek Philippe wallet and product literature. Fitted with wooden presentation box signed Patek Philippe and outer packaging.
    Provenance: Sotheby's Geneva on May 20, 1997, Important Watches - A Private Collection, Lot 76
    Christie's Geneva on November 16, 2009, Important Watches Including A Connoisseur's Vision, Lot 160

  • Provenance

    Sotheby's Geneva on May 20, 1997, Important Watches - A Private Collection, Lot 76
    Christie's Geneva on November 16, 2009, Important Watches Including A Connoisseur's Vision, Lot 160

  • Catalogue Essay

    To many watch collectors around the globe, Patek Philippe's reference 2499 is the most perfect wristwatch ever. Blessed with a perpetual calendar and chronograph, a substantial case but not of exaggerated proportions, strong lugs with a subtle fluting, all paired with the firm's immaculate calibre 13'''-130 movement and a reasonably limited production add up to making this watch a horological dream come true.

    Produced in four series since the early 1950s, reference 2499 has undergone numerous changes. The last generation reference 2499/100 was fitted with round chronograph pushers and, a novelty, a sapphire crystal. The silvered dial would feature applied gold baton numerals and no scientific outer scale. The present example offered here for sale is without a doubt one of the finest examples to come to the market in years. Acquired by the first owner in 1984 via the distinguished Swiss retailer Gübelin in Lucerne, it has not seen any wear as it was purchased with the purpose of joining his rich and exquisite collection of complicated wristwatches.

    When in 1997 the owner's watch collection was sold at Sotheby's Geneva, Important Watches, A private collection, this reference 2499/100, lot 76, graced the cover together with two other fine timepieces. Acquired by the second owner, it was then cherished for the following 12 years without seeing any wear. Years later it was offered at auction for the second time, once again in Geneva but this time at Christie's Important Watches on November 16, 2009 - lot 160. There it was acquired by the third and current owner. Since then for the last 6 years the watch has been in one of the most cherished private collections, where condition and completeness, in terms of accessories, is paramount.

    Unpolished examples of the last series reference 2499 are extremely rare. Those still retaining the original certificate matching with the retailer signature on the dial, can be counted on probably just one hand. In fact, scholarship suggests that the present example is one of only four references 2499/100 carrying the prestigious Gübelin signature on the dial.

  • 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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Σ188

Ref. 2499/100
A very rare and highly attractive yellow gold perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch with moon phases, with original certificate and box, retailed by Gübelin

1983
38mm. Diameter
Case, dial, movement and buckle signed

Estimate
CHF300,000 - 500,000 

Sold for CHF545,000

Contact Specialist
Nathalie Monbaron
+41 22 317 81 83

Geneva Watch Auction: TWO

Geneva Auction 7 & 8 November 2015 6:30pm