205
Patek Philippe
Ref. 2526
An extraordinary and very important white gold automatic wristwatch with silvered dial with diamond-set numerals and additional enamel dial
- Estimate
- CHF100,000 - 200,000$100,000 - 200,000€103,000 - 206,000
CHF163,800
Lot Details
- Manufacturer
- Patek Philippe
- Year
- 1955
- Reference No
- 2526
- Movement No
- 762'700
- Case No
- 688'740
- Material
- 18K white gold
- Calibre
- Automatic, cal. 12-600AT, 30 jewels, stamped twice with the Geneva Seal
- Bracelet/Strap
- Patek Philippe leather strap
- Clasp/Buckle
- 18K white gold Patek Philippe buckle
- Dimensions
- 35.5mm Diameter
- Signed
- Case, dial, movement and buckle signed
- Accessories
- Accompanied by Patek Philippe presentation box and outer packaging. Furthermore delivered with Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming the production of the present watch with this diamond-set silvered dial in 1955 and its subsequent sale on 31 October 1956.
Specialist
Full-Cataloguing
Catalogue Essay
Patek Philippe’s first automatic wristwatch, the legendary reference 2526, was introduced to the market in 1953 and set the standard for a timeless and elegant case design. Reference 2526 was launched with the celebrated caliber 12-600 AT - Patek Philippe’s first automatic movement, considered by many to be the most beautiful self-winding movement made by any manufacturer.
The 12-600 AT is still considered to this day, to be one of the best automatic movements ever created. This is due to the fact that Patek Philippe, like all other manufacturers, was not able to produce an automatic movement with a 360 degree rotor until Rolex’s patent expired. Rather than spending time on less optimal solutions (bumper rotors, hinged-lugs winding, etc.), Patek Philippe focused its R&D on the cal. 12-600 for over two decades, waiting for the patent to expire.
Only 23 examples of white gold 2526s are known to scholars, and only 7 examples display the current dial configuration. The present watch is preserved in impressive condition with a sharp hallmark beneath the lug.
The 12-600 AT is still considered to this day, to be one of the best automatic movements ever created. This is due to the fact that Patek Philippe, like all other manufacturers, was not able to produce an automatic movement with a 360 degree rotor until Rolex’s patent expired. Rather than spending time on less optimal solutions (bumper rotors, hinged-lugs winding, etc.), Patek Philippe focused its R&D on the cal. 12-600 for over two decades, waiting for the patent to expire.
Only 23 examples of white gold 2526s are known to scholars, and only 7 examples display the current dial configuration. The present watch is preserved in impressive condition with a sharp hallmark beneath the lug.
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.
Browse Maker