Patek Philippe - The Geneva Watch Auction: FIVE Geneva Friday, May 12, 2017 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Patek Philippe
    Year: 1955
    Reference No: 2497
    Movement No: 888'131
    Case No: 696'494
    Material: 18K yellow gold
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 27SC Q, 18 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Leather
    Clasp/Buckle: 18K yellow gold PPCo pin buckle
    Dimensions: 37mm. Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial and movement signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present lot in 1955 and its subsequent sale on January 1, 1959.
    Literature: This reference is featured in "Patek Philippe Wristwatches" by M. Huber & A. Banbery, 2nd edition, pp. 285 & 287.

  • Catalogue Essay

    In the Pantheon of iconic perpetual calendars, Patek Philippe’s reference 2497 takes an important position.

    Patek Philippe forged a new vision with this reference launched in 1951. The design of the reference 2497 with its taught lines and oversized case is both comfortably reassuring and of highly contemporary elegance.
    Reference 2497 was Patek Philippe’s first perpetual calendar wristwatch featuring centre seconds. Whereas examples from the first generation have Arabic and dot numerals, watches from the late production have facetted baton numerals like the present lot.

    Two makers provided the cases for the 2497. Those produced by Wenger, like the present lot, had slightly shorter lugs and a rounded caseback.

    Scholarship tells us that only some two dozen examples of the reference 2497 second series in yellow gold were produced of which only 17 are known today.

    The present lot in overall excellent condition with its highly attractive dial having turned a pleasing vanilla, would be a worthy addition for a distinguished collection of complicated vintage Patek Philippe watches.

  • 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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118

Ref. 2497
A very rare and highly attractive yellow gold perpetual calendar wristwatch with moonphases and sweep center seconds

1955
37mm. Diameter
Case, dial and movement signed

Estimate
CHF200,000 - 400,000 
€185,000-371,000
$198,000-396,000

Contact Specialist
Alexandre Ghotbi
+41 22 317 81 89

The Geneva Watch Auction: FIVE

Geneva Auctions 13 – 14 May 2017