Patek Philippe - The Hong Kong Watch Auction: SEVEN Hong Kong Monday, November 26, 2018 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Patek Philippe
    Year: 1953
    Reference No: 2497
    Movement No: 888'045
    Case No: 679'780
    Material: 18K yellow gold
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 27SC Q, 18 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Leather
    Clasp/Buckle: 18k yellow gold Patek Philippe buckle
    Dimensions: 37mm. Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial and movement signed
    Accessories: Accompanied with Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch in 1953 and its subsequent sale on May 10th, 1955.

  • Catalogue Essay

    Introduced in 1951 and produced until approximately 1963, the reference 2497 is an elegantly sublime watch that achieves what so many tried to do, but never attained. The Wenger case is clean and simple with strong lines and proportions giving the timepiece an architectural feel and lending an air of permanence and stability. The reference 1526 case measured 34mm, but reference 2497 was modernized and sported a 37.5mm case. The case of the present watch is from the second series with dome back, shorter lugs and the larger dimension.

    The earliest manufactured watches featured Vichet cases with downturned lugs and a flat case back. Scholarship indicates there are only 179 examples of the 2497 and 2438/1, its waterproof companion piece, and serial numbers ran consecutively from 888’000 to 888’178, with the present watch numbered 888’045, and the extract confirming it was made in 1953. The dial is a first series example with Arabic and dot indices, differing from both second series A and B, which no longer have Arabic numerals, with the A series having faceted rectangular numerals, and the B series faceted pointed rectangular numerals. It is interesting to note that this timepieces features a very rare Spanish calendar and is the first one known to the market. The Spanish theme is continued on the engraved case back reading “Esteban Pérez M 28 de Abril de 1914”, presumably Esteban's birthday.

    The present reference 2497 has never appeared in the market before and is a lovely example of this period of haute horlogerie and makes a wonderful addition to any collection.

  • 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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975

Ref. 2497
A very rare and highly attractive yellow gold perpetual calendar wristwatch with moon phase, center seconds and Spanish calendar

1953
37mm. Diameter
Case, dial and movement signed

Estimate
HK$1,200,000 - 2,400,000 
€133,000-265,000
$154,000-308,000

Sold for HK$1,375,000

Contact Specialist

Thomas Perazzi
Head of Watches, Asia
+852 2318 2001
thomasperazzi@phillips.com

Ziyong Ho
Specialist
+852 9386 2032
ziyongho@phillips.com

Jill Chen
Specialist
+852 2318 2033
jillchen@phillips.com

The Hong Kong Watch Auction: SEVEN

Hong Kong Auction 27 November 2018