Patek Philippe - WINNING ICONS – Legendary Watches of the 20th Century New York Thursday, October 26, 2017 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Patek Philippe
    Year: 1951
    Reference No: 1518
    Movement No: 868’087
    Case No: 668’396
    Material: 18K pink gold
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 13''', 23 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Leather
    Clasp/Buckle: 18K pink gold Patek Philippe buckle
    Dimensions: 35mm diameter
    Accessories: Accompanied by Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch in 1951 with raised gold hour-markers and its subsequent sale on 26 September 1956, and service papers.

  • Catalogue Essay

    In 1941, during the turmoil of World War II, a small but momentous event took place in Basel Switzerland, which forever changed Swiss watch manufacturing. It was at the Swiss Watch Fair Basel (today Baselworld), that Patek Philippe introduced what was a revolutionary wristwatch – the reference 1518. It was the first perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch ever produced by any brand in series, and in those uncertain times, demonstrated the brand’s remarkable courage. Now considered an important milestone wristwatch in horological history, the reference 1518 set the course for Patek Philippe’s dominance in the world of high end Swiss watchmaking. So ahead of its time was its design, Patek Philippe continued to use its timeless aesthetic as the foundation for a long line of successful and highly sought after complicated wristwatches, including the references 2499, 3970, 5970, and even today’s 5270. This revolutionary model is a must-have for any serious collector of vintage Patek Philippe watches, and ticks all the boxes that collectors seek in a legendary vintage watch. With only four known in stainless steel, the majority of 1518s were encased in yellow gold, and only a small number cased in pink gold, making the present watch exceedingly rare.

  • 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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50

Ref. 1518
An extremely fine, rare and highly attractive pink gold perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch with moon phase indication and tachymeter scale.

1951
Case, dial and movement signed
35mm diameter

Estimate
$600,000 - 1,200,000 
CHF585,000-1,170,000
€511,000-1,020,000
HK$4,680,000-9,370,000

Sold for $975,000

Contact Specialist
Paul Boutros
Head of Watches, Americas
+1 212 940 1293
pboutros@phillips.com

WINNING ICONS – Legendary Watches of the 20th Century

New York Auction 26 October 2017