848Σ
Patek Philippe
Ref. 2526
A fine, attractive and rare yellow gold wristwatch with small seconds and enamel dial
- Estimate
- HK$150,000 - 250,000€16,500 - 27,600$19,200 - 32,100
HK$327,600
Lot Details
- Manufacturer
- Patek Philippe
- Year
- 1955
- Reference No
- 2526
- Movement No
- 762’523
- Case No
- 691’225
- Material
- 18K yellow gold
- Calibre
- Automatic, cal. 12-600 AT, 30 jewels, stamped with the Geneva seal
- Bracelet/Strap
- Crocodile
- Clasp/Buckle
- 18K yellow gold Patek Philippe pin buckle
- Dimensions
- 35mm diameter
- Signed
- Case, dial, movement and buckle signed
- Accessories
- Delivered with a Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming its date of manufacture of the present timepiece in 1955 and its subsequent date of sale on 17th May 1956.
Specialist
Full-Cataloguing
Catalogue Essay
Making its important debut in 1953, the Patek Philippe ref. 2526 is the firm’s first self-winding wristwatch that was serially produced. Adored and appreciated by collectors, the prestigious reference is arguably one of the most impressive time-only model ever manufactured by Patek Philippe due to its practical self-winding caliber, timeless design and its tastefully executed off-white enamel dial. Encased in yellow gold, pink gold, white gold and platinum, it is estimated that throughout its production spanning until 1960, an estimated 2,350 examples were encased in yellow gold across all four series.
The distinctive features for each series of the ref. 2526 are listed below.
First series: Domed screw-down caseback, enameled dial, applied gold indexes, 6 o’clock index almost as large as other indexes, with later examples shorter. Movement number range: 760’000 – 761’699. Case number range: 674’XXX – 684’XXX.
Second series: Domed screw-down caseback, enameled dial, laid indexes, smaller 6 o’clock index. Movement number range: 760’500 – 763’999. Case number range: 681’XXX – 698’XXX. (The present example).
Third series: Flat screw-down caseback, dial same as second series. Movement number range: 761’700 – 767’099. Case number range: 681’XXX – 2’613’XXX.
Fourth series: Flat screw-down caseback, dial with a slightly different signature, upgraded cal. 27-460. Movement number range: 1’100’000 – 1’100’999. Case number range: 2’606’XXX – 2’613’XXX.
The present example Patek Philippe ref. 2526 in yellow gold from the second series features case and movement numbers that are consistent with examples from the respective series. Featuring an off-white enamel dial with shorter index at 6 o’clock and a domed screw-down caseback topping it off with its original forged “double P” crown, the present example is attractive and fresh-to-the-market. A must-have reference for vintage connoisseurs.
The distinctive features for each series of the ref. 2526 are listed below.
First series: Domed screw-down caseback, enameled dial, applied gold indexes, 6 o’clock index almost as large as other indexes, with later examples shorter. Movement number range: 760’000 – 761’699. Case number range: 674’XXX – 684’XXX.
Second series: Domed screw-down caseback, enameled dial, laid indexes, smaller 6 o’clock index. Movement number range: 760’500 – 763’999. Case number range: 681’XXX – 698’XXX. (The present example).
Third series: Flat screw-down caseback, dial same as second series. Movement number range: 761’700 – 767’099. Case number range: 681’XXX – 2’613’XXX.
Fourth series: Flat screw-down caseback, dial with a slightly different signature, upgraded cal. 27-460. Movement number range: 1’100’000 – 1’100’999. Case number range: 2’606’XXX – 2’613’XXX.
The present example Patek Philippe ref. 2526 in yellow gold from the second series features case and movement numbers that are consistent with examples from the respective series. Featuring an off-white enamel dial with shorter index at 6 o’clock and a domed screw-down caseback topping it off with its original forged “double P” crown, the present example is attractive and fresh-to-the-market. A must-have reference for vintage connoisseurs.
Patek Philippe
Swiss | 1839Since 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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