Patek Philippe - Geneva Watch Auction: FOUR Geneva Friday, November 11, 2016 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Patek Philippe
    Year: 1949
    Reference No: 1526
    Movement No: 964'554
    Case No: 657'234
    Material: 18K pink gold
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 12'''120, 18 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Leather
    Clasp/Buckle: 18K pink gold pin buckle signed PP&Co
    Dimensions: 34mm. Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial and movement signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by an Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch in 1949 and its subsequent sale on October 20, 1950. Furthermore delivered with a spare crystal.
    Literature: For further examples of reference 1526, please see Patek Philippe Museum, Patek Philippe Watches - Volume II, pages 287 to 291

  • Catalogue Essay

    Patek Philippe’s groundbreaking Reference 1526 is a pivotal watch in the history of horology as it is the very first series produced perpetual calendar wristwatch, launched in 1941 in the midst of World War II, and in production until 1952. In its own manner, it is the benchmark from which other perpetual calendar wristwatches would get inspiration. Its elegant “Calatrava”-style three piece round case, with its elongated lugs, is an ode to Mies van der Rohe’s “less is more” philosophy even though, housed within, runs a movement mechanically calculating the length of each month throughout the year, whilst also accounting for leap years. Over the decade reference 1526 was in production, only 210 pieces were ever made, the large majority in yellow gold, an extremely low number in pink gold and only one in steel known to date. The present lot in pink gold first appeared to the public in "The Art of Patek Philippe" sale in 1989. The flawless, vanilla- colored dial with its minimalist Arabic numerals, retains its original hard enamel printing throughout. Housed in a superbly preserved pink gold case, the present lot will certainly appeal to the collector looking for not only an exceptionally well preserved and extremely rare timepiece, but also one of the first perpetual calendar wristwatches ever made.

  • 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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Ref. 1526
An very attractive and extremely rare pink gold perpetual calendar wristwatch with phases of the moon

1949
34mm. Diameter
Case, dial and movement signed

Estimate
CHF120,000 - 180,000 
€110,000-165,000
$124,000-186,000

Sold for CHF150,000

Contact Specialist
Alexandre Ghotbi
+41 22 317 81 89

Geneva Watch Auction: FOUR

Geneva Auctions 12 – 13 November 2016