16
Patek Philippe
Ref. 2497
"Gumbiner"
A stunning and very well preserved yellow gold perpetual calendar wristwatch with center seconds and moonphases, retailed by Gumbiner
Full-Cataloguing
- Perpetual calendar
- Case by Wenger
- The only known example with New York retailer Gumbiner signature
- Preserved in excellent condition
The present Patek Philippe ref 2497 is not only a spectacularly well preserved example from 1953 but it is also the only known example to feature retailer signature Gumbiner.
It features the highly charming and desirable First Series dial, defined by Arabic and dot numerals (Second Series dials feature baton numerals) with sharp calendar windows and strong graphics.
Launched alongside the famed perpetual calendar chronograph reference 2499, Patek Philippe released this simple perpetual calendar, just as it had released the predecessor reference 1518 alongside the reference 1526. The references 2497 and 2499 were designed with larger diameter cases featuring more robust and elaborate lugs compared with their predecessors. Additionally, a waterproof companion was introduced shortly after the reference 2497, the rare reference 2438/1.
Established scholarship tells us that there were a combined total of only 179 total examples made across both references 2497 and 2438/1, with movement numbers spanning from 888’000 to 888’178. Some two thirds of these movements were placed within the reference 2497 over a production span of over 10 years.
In fact, Patek Philippe took the challenge of creating a so-called “simple” perpetual calendar (if such a thing is not an oxymoron) to heart, adapting their much-lauded caliber 27 SC (SC for “seconde au centre”) to have a perpetual calendar function, transforming it into the 27 SC Q (Q for “quantième”). The sibling references 2497 and 2438/1 were the world’s first perpetual calendars with center seconds.
Unusually, two case makers were employed for the reference (akin to ref. 2499), each producing slightly different cases. Among other differences, Wenger cases - exemplified by the present watch - sport a “bombé” caseback while Vichet cases feature a flat back. This example boasts a superbly well-preserved case with intact grooves to the lugs, one of the most unusual and appreciated design details of this model, directly inherited from its chronographic brethren ref. 2499.
Very few ref 2497 models were made with retailer signature and to the best of our research the present example is the only one with New York based retailer signature Gumbiner. The retailer signature is also placed in an unusual location on the dial, just below the calendar windows and above the brand’s signature rather than the more usual position within the moon phase circle. Gumbiner was a Manhattan based retailer of fine watches in activity from 1930 to the early 1970s.
The movement furthermore is engraved HOX, designating its US destination.
The caseback is engraved Gordon MF Stick, Glen Arm Maryland, USA. Gordon Malvern Fair Stick (July 17, 1903 – October 24, 1986) was an American businessman from Baltimore, Maryland, who served as the 20th President General of the General Society of the War of 1812 from 1970 to 1975. After graduating from Johns Hopkins University, Stick embarked on a career in investment banking.
The case of the present example is preserved in excellent condition with crisp and deep steps to the lug and deep hallmarks beneath the lugs. The case has also developed a pleasing oxidation demonstrating the fact that is has not been worn for a very long time. The dial is in equally superb condition.
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.