Introduced in 1951 and produced until approximately 1963, the reference 2497 is an elegantly sublime watch that achieves what so many tried to do, but never attained. The Wenger case is clean and simple with strong lines and proportions giving the timepiece an architectural feel and lending an air of permanence and stability. The reference 1526 case measured 34mm, but reference 2497 was modernized and sported a 37.5mm case. The case of the present watch is from the second series with dome back, shorter lugs and the larger dimension.

The earliest manufactured watches featured Vichet cases with downturned lugs and a flat case back. Scholarship indicates there are only 179 examples of the 2497 and 2438/1, its waterproof companion piece, and serial numbers ran consecutively from 888’000 to 888’178, with the present watch numbered 888’045, and the extract confirming it was made in 1953. The dial is a first series example with Arabic and dot indices, differing from both second series A and B, which no longer have Arabic numerals, with the A series having faceted rectangular numerals, and the B series faceted pointed rectangular numerals. It is interesting to note that this timepieces features a very rare Spanish calendar and is the first one known to the market. The Spanish theme is continued on the engraved case back reading “Esteban Pérez M 28 de Abril de 1914”, presumably Esteban's birthday.

The present reference 2497 has never appeared in the market before and is a lovely example of this period of haute horlogerie and makes a wonderful addition to any collection.