Patek Philippe - The Geneva Watch Auction: SIX Geneva Friday, November 10, 2017 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Patek Philippe
    Year: 1954
    Reference No: 2552
    Movement No: 760'815
    Case No: 686'451
    Model Name: "Disco Volante"
    Material: 18K yellow gold
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 12-600, 30 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: 18K yellow gold Tiffany & Co. bracelet, max length 180mm.
    Clasp/Buckle: 18K yellow gold Tiffany & Co. deployant clasp signed Tiffany & Co.
    Dimensions: 36mm. Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial and movement signed, bracelet signed Tiffany & Co
    Accessories: Accompanied by Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch in 1954 and its subsequent sale on September 16th, 1955.
    Literature: Reference 2552 is illustrated in Patek Philippe Wristwatches by Martin Huber & Alan Banbery, second edition, p. 215

  • Catalogue Essay

    The Patek Philippe reference 2552 is nicknamed “Disco Volante” (Italian for flying saucer) due to its flat, stepped case and was produced from 1955 to 1960.

    The short, downturned lugs and stepped case give the watch a refined presence on the wrist. Furthermore the silver dial has turned a superbly original and harmonious vanilla tone, with darker areas on the periphery. Rendering this timepiece even more unique and desirable is the Tiffany & Co signature on the dial. Even more extraordinary is the fact that the retailer’s name is prominently displayed above the Patek Philippe brand name and not on the lower part of the dial as is more typically seen.

    Of the 58 examples of the yellow gold reference 2552 known, only four have a Tiffany & Co. signature on the dial but the present lot, fresh to the market, is the only one known with the retailer's name above Patek Philippe, making it truly unique.

    The yellow gold case is in overall excellent condition and has crisp visible hallmarks. It houses Patek Philippe’s superb automatic caliber 12-600 which is beautifully hand decorated and stamped with the Geneva seal, featuring a gold guilloché rotor and Patek Philippe’s signature Gyromax balance. Furthermore, the movement is accordingly stamped ‘HOX,’ the correct import mark for the American market.

    The Tiffany & Co. signed bracelet adds a dash of dazzle to an already enticing watch.

  • 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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225

Ref. 2552
An attractive and rare self-winding yellow gold wristwatch with bracelet, retailed by Tiffany & Co.

1954
36mm. Diameter
Case, dial and movement signed, bracelet signed Tiffany & Co

Estimate
CHF15,000 - 25,000 
€12,900-21,600
$15,500-25,800

Sold for CHF36,250

Contact Specialist
Alexandre Ghotbi
+41 22 317 81 89
aghotbi@phillips.com

The Geneva Watch Auction: SIX

Geneva Auctions 11 - 12 November 2017