1100Σ︎
Patek Philippe
Ref. 2552
“Disco Volante”
A highly rare and well-preserved yellow gold wristwatch with small seconds, stepped bezel and Certificate of Origin
Full-Cataloguing
- Iconic “Flying Saucer” case design
- Hard enamel nicely raised on the dial
- Accompanied by original Certificate of Origin from 1961
- Recently serviced in Patek Philippe Geneva in 2025
Bestowed with a charming moniker, the Patek Philippe reference 2552 “Disco Volante”—Italian for “Flying Saucer”—features a modern, refined stepped case. Produced from 1954 through 1960, the reference was powered by the manufacture’s legendary first automatic movement, cal. 12-600.
Offering a distinct wrist presence positioned between the sculpted case of reference 2526 and the architecture of reference 2551, reference 2552 strikes an ideal balance. Crafted by master casemaker A. Wenger (Key number 1), the design incorporates a broad stepped bezel and downturned lugs, alongside the highly desirable double "P" crown. Drawing the eye inward, the dial has developed a charming, even patina, further elevated by its well-preserved, raised hard-enamel signature. To the best of our knowledge, approximately 60 yellow gold examples have publicly appeared on the market to date.
The case remains exceptionally well-preserved, exhibiting a crisp hallmark on the lug. Inside, the watch houses Patek Philippe’s superb cal. 12-600—a beautifully hand-finished automatic movement bearing the Geneva Seal, complete with an 18K gold guilloché winding rotor and Gyromax balance.
Adding to its collector appeal, this timepiece is one of the last batches in production, accompanied by its original Patek Philippe Certificate of Origin from 1961 and service documentation from Patek Philippe Geneva dated October 2025. First brought to market in 2025 directly by the family of the original owner, this example represents one of the finest reference 2552s to resurface at auction.
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.