Manufacturer: Patek Philippe Year: 1956 Reference No: 2577 Movement No: 746'439 Case No: 689'670 Material: 18K yellow gold Calibre: Manual, cal. 10-200, 18 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Leather Clasp/Buckle: 18K yellow gold pin buckle signed PPCo. Dimensions: 35mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed Accessories: Accompanied by Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch in 1956 and its subsequent sale on April 12, 1957.
Catalogue Essay
When associating the words Patek Philippe and grand feu enamel dial the automatic reference 2526 and its successor the reference 3428 immediately come to mind.
However, the elusive reference 2577 launched in 1956 is also part of this elite circle and much rarer than its peers. In fact it is so rare that previously only 6 examples in yellow gold were known. The present lot is the seventh and earliest example.
Enhancing even more its desirability and transforming rare into unique is the Hausmann & Co signature on the dial of the present lot. Founded in Rome in 1794 by Ernst Hausmann and Hermann Frielingsdorf, Hausmann & Co. is one of Patek Philippe's most prominent retailers in Italy. The present reference 2577 is the only known with this prestigious signature.
Unlike the references 2526 and 3428 housed in rather classical Calatrava style cases, the present model with its faceted “spider lugs” is audacious and unashamed which together with the beautiful, delicate and unharmed cream grand feu enamel dial with gilt Patek Philippe signature create a watch of incredible equilibrium and appeal.
Fresh to the market, the ultra-rarity of this reference along with the prestigious Hausmann & Co signature make the present watch a must have in any collection.
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.