98
Patek Philippe
Ref. 2550
"Lindo Turtle"
An exceptional, extremely rare, and very well-preserved pink gold "turtle-shaped" wristwatch
Full-Cataloguing
• Extremely rare model in strong physical condition
• Only four pink gold known examples
• From the family of the original owner
Phillips in Association with Bacs and Russo is honored to offer this extremely rare and exceptional reference 2550 from the family of the original owner.
This reference 2550 is fresh-to-the-market and only the seventh known, with three examples in yellow gold. This watch is the fourth pink gold example to appear. The present watch is the third in the series with movement number 742’322 with the other examples in the range from 742’073 to 751’030. François Markowski (key number 8) manufactured the case, and was renowned for his unusual case shapes having worked with Patek Philippe from approximately 1934 to 1963. The dial is well-preserved with an interesting design featuring a polished center zone and outer guilloché chapter ring with “kite” numerals, Arabic 12 o’clock, and cut out at the 6 o’clock. The watch is a time capsule of mid 20th century exuberance and retains the original 18K pink gold spring bars and crystal.
The present watch is offered in excellent condition and was immensely enjoyed by the original owner who bought it from a Chicago jeweler. The watch has remained in the family since, and passed down to his son—a Chicago firefighter awarded a commendation by Mayor Richard Daley in 2005 for heroism. This reference 2550 is a wonderful mid-20th century wristwatch demonstrating the golden age of horology and certain to delight the most discerning connoisseur.
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.