US import tariffs: Non-US origin lots in this sale (including watches and timepieces with Swiss-made or non-US made movements) will be subject to special tariffs upon import to the USA, currently ranging from 10% to 39% on the total invoice price (hammer price plus buyer’s premium). Buyers are responsible for paying any applicable tariffs, duties, taxes and charges when importing their purchased lots. Due to the evolving nature of international trade regulations, we recommend clients consult with their local customs office or advisor for up-to-date information on the applicable tariffs.
212
Patek Philippe
Ref. 1526
An incredibly attractive incredibly rare yellow gold perpetual calendar wristwatch with moonphases and black dial, only one known
- Estimate
- CHF150,000 - 300,000€161,000 - 323,000$186,000 - 371,000
CHF381,000
Lot Details
- Manufacturer
- Patek Philippe
- Year
- 1951
- Reference No
- 1526
- Movement No
- 967'645
- Case No
- 668'350
- Material
- 18k yellow gold
- Calibre
- Manual, cal. 12'''120, 18 jewels
- Bracelet/Strap
- Leather
- Clasp/Buckle
- 18k yellow gold modern Patek Philippe pin buckle
- Dimensions
- 34mm diameter
- Signed
- Case, dial, movement and buckle signed
- Accessories
- Accompanied by a copy of Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives dated 2002 confirming date of manufacture in 1951 and subsequent sale on November 4, 1952.
Specialist
Full-Cataloguing
Catalogue Essay
It is with great pleasure that we offer today not only a historically important and visually arresting timepiece but also one of only two known black dial reference 1526 making its auction return 2 decades after it was last offered in 2005.
Patek Philippe’s groundbreaking reference 1526 was a landmark model as it was the very first serially produced perpetual calendar wristwatch. Launched in 1941 and in production until 1952, it forged a new path for the manufacture and would set the benchmark and standard for many perpetual calendar models to come.
The apparent simplicity of the case and dial underlines the exquisitely complicated movement, one that mechanically calculates the length of each month throughout the year, whilst also accounting for leap years. Over the decade reference 1526 was in production, only 210 pieces were ever made, the large majority in yellow gold, an extremely low number in pink gold and only one in steel known to date.
The 2002 Extract indicates that the watch was originally delivered in 1952 with a sliver dial, however, this watch first appeared on the market at Sotheby’s New York in 1989 and then again at Phillips in May 2002 both times with the present black dial that the market accepts as being original to this piece. Furthermore, the movement number is etched inside the dial as common with complicated Patek Philippe models of the time.
The strong case, long thick lugs and thin bezel enhance the impression of size and wrist presence. The hallmark on the case flank is still visible.
However, the real show stopper is the black dial giving the watch incredible gravitas and aesthetic appeal.
Sold in 1952 when the reference 2497 (the successor to the reference 1526) was already launched, the present gem is most certainly amongst the very last reference 1526 models ever made.
Patek Philippe’s groundbreaking reference 1526 was a landmark model as it was the very first serially produced perpetual calendar wristwatch. Launched in 1941 and in production until 1952, it forged a new path for the manufacture and would set the benchmark and standard for many perpetual calendar models to come.
The apparent simplicity of the case and dial underlines the exquisitely complicated movement, one that mechanically calculates the length of each month throughout the year, whilst also accounting for leap years. Over the decade reference 1526 was in production, only 210 pieces were ever made, the large majority in yellow gold, an extremely low number in pink gold and only one in steel known to date.
The 2002 Extract indicates that the watch was originally delivered in 1952 with a sliver dial, however, this watch first appeared on the market at Sotheby’s New York in 1989 and then again at Phillips in May 2002 both times with the present black dial that the market accepts as being original to this piece. Furthermore, the movement number is etched inside the dial as common with complicated Patek Philippe models of the time.
The strong case, long thick lugs and thin bezel enhance the impression of size and wrist presence. The hallmark on the case flank is still visible.
However, the real show stopper is the black dial giving the watch incredible gravitas and aesthetic appeal.
Sold in 1952 when the reference 2497 (the successor to the reference 1526) was already launched, the present gem is most certainly amongst the very last reference 1526 models ever made.
Literature
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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