

126
Patek Philippe
Ref. 1526
An exceptional and very rare yellow gold perpetual calendar wristwatch with original certificate, original bill of sale and original presentation box
- Estimate
- CHF200,000 - 300,000
CHF305,000
Lot Details
- Manufacturer
- Patek Philippe
- Year
- 1943
- Reference No
- 1526
- Movement No
- 923'292
- Case No
- 632'179
- Material
- 18k yellow gold
- Calibre
- Manual, 12'''120
- Bracelet/Strap
- Leather
- Clasp/Buckle
- Original 18k gold buckle, <em>signed PPC</em>
- Dimensions
- 34mm. Diameter
- Signed
- <em>Case, dial and movement signed </em>
- Accessories
- Certificate of Origin, Original bill of sale dated 1944, <em>Extract from the Archives </em>confirming production of the present watch in 1943 and its subsequent sale on August 9th, 1944
Specialist
Full-Cataloguing
Catalogue Essay
Reference 1526 was Patek Philippe’s first perpetual calendar wristwatch made in series. Launched in 1941, it remained in production until 1952. The first generation, like the present watch, has a double circle around the aperture for the moon phases, one indicating the constant seconds, the other one the date of the month.The present example must be considered amongst the very best preserved specimen of this legendary model as it appears to be in virtually unworn condition. Its case does not show signs of wear and certainly no signs of polishing. The original leather strap, still after 70 years, appears to be unworn. Much to the collectors delight, the original certificate and invoice have also been preserved until to date. A more complete package and better preserved complicated Patek Philippe wristwatch from the early 1940s is a near impossible find.
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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