Patek Philippe’s reference 2526 is a paragon of mid-20th century design aesthetic. The brand’s first self-winding wristwatch, it is a legend in the horological world for both its innovative caliber 12-600AT and classic masculine design with sensual enamel dial. Introduced in 1953, it has a timeless quality that is as contemporary today as it was 66 years ago. The 35.5mm diameter Baumgartner-fabricated case was oversized for the era, but due to its thicker proportions, perfectly suits contemporary tastes when many enthusiasts consider a 40mm diameter watch the standard. The automatic, in-house caliber, produced from 1953 until approximately 1960, is a work of art with the handcrafted 18k gold guilloché bi-directional rotor crested with the PP signature. It is considered by many to be amongst the finest automatic movements ever made, featuring highest grade finishing, and efficient bi-directional winding system allowing for the watch to achieve full power reserve in a relatively short period of time. Over the caliber 12-600’s seven year production period, 7100 movements were made and were featured not only in the reference 2526, but also in references as diverse as the 2540 to the 3425.

The present example is exceptionally well-preserved and a fresh-to-the-market offering, coming from the original family. The first series' off-white enamel dial features the recognizable flared enamel surrounding the top and bottom of each hour marker, as well as around the centers of the hour, minute, and seconds hands. In original, unrestored condition and featuring the prestigious Swiss retailer Gübelin's signature at 6 o’clock, it is a premium example of a reference 2526 featuring so many of the qualities that attract connoisseurs today. Its original state of preservation, easy wearability, and iconic design make this an exceptional wristwatch for any collector.