Manufacturer: Patek Philippe Year: 1956 Reference No: 2526 Movement No: 763'320 Case No: 694'873 Material: 18K pink gold Calibre: Automatic, cal. 12-600 AT, 30 jewels Bracelet/Strap: 18K pink gold Patek Philippe bracelet, max length 190mm. Clasp/Buckle: 18K pink gold Patek Philippe clasp stamped 2.56 Patek Philippe & Co. and GF for Gay Frères Dimensions: 35.5mm. Diameter Signed: Case, movement and bracelet signed Accessories: Accompanied by an Extract from the Archives confirming manufacture of the watch in 1956 and its subsequent sale on 10 April 1957.
Catalogue Essay
First launched in 1953, reference 2526 was Patek Philippe's very first watch to house an automatic movement - caliber 12-600 AT. The model usually featured an enamel dial, and no expense was spared in the production of the reference. Many examples were fitted with a heavy and luxurious bracelet, made by esteemed bracelet manufacturer Gay Frères. Even the rotor was made in gold, with a beautiful guilloché finish which displayed Patek Philippe's eye for detail and quality.
The present watch is in many ways an outstanding example of the reference 2526. Firstly, the watch is cased in pink gold, which is much rarer to come by than its yellow gold counterparts. Featuring a luxurious and fluid pink gold bracelet stamped for the second quarter of 1956 and manufactured by Gay Frères, the watch is incredibly heavy. Yet, what truly sets this watch apart from its contemporaries is the pink gold dial, embellished with a Clous–de-Paris guilloché design. In lieu of numerals is an outer ring with a threaded design to appear like baton markers. Most strikingly, the dial is not signed. However, the case back bears Patek Philippe's signature - an incredibly unusual feature which is not typically found on the reference. One can only conclude the present watch was made upon special order, and designed to the client's specifications.
Complete with its original 'double P' crown, the watch furthermore features a sharp Patek Philippe & Co engraving on the case back, attesting to its surperb condition, along with a hallmark under the lug.
Since 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.