Patek Philippe - The Geneva Watch Auction: SEVEN Geneva Saturday, May 12, 2018 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Patek Philippe
    Year: 1952
    Reference No: 2456
    Movement No: 974'347
    Case No: 669'883
    Material: 18K yellow gold
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 9-90, 18 jewels, stamped twice with the Geneva Seal
    Bracelet/Strap: Leather
    Clasp/Buckle: 18K yellow gold Patek Philippe pin buckle
    Dimensions: 39mm Length, 23mm Width
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch with raised gold hour-markers in 1952 and its subsequent sale on August 27, 1952

  • Catalogue Essay

    Reference 2456 is one of the first examples of a new stylistic trend that blossomed in the sixties and seventies. The dial is very clean, and the watch is defined instead by the case design. Elaborated cases and minimalistic dials began to appear in the fifties, reaching the apex of their popularity over the following two decades, and then slowly fading over the eighties and nineties.

    Not only the present piece is a precursor of such an important trend, but it is also offered in astonishing well-preserved condition: its unmolested case is blessed with an even layer of oxidation, telltale sign of a watch that spent most of its life in a safe. Such a remarkable level of quality allows the beholder to properly appreciate the intended aesthetic impact of the piece. As the visual language of the watch is developed mostly via its case design, even slight polishing would have noticeably altered the final effect intended for the wearer. Thankfully this is not our case, a circumstance as rare as it is welcome.

  • Artist Biography

    Patek Philippe

    Swiss • 1839

    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.

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Ref. 2456
A very fine and attractive rectangular-shaped yellow gold wristwatch

1952
39mm Length, 23mm Width
Case, dial, movement and buckle signed

Estimate
CHF8,000 - 14,000 
€6,900-12,000
$8,500-14,800

Sold for CHF10,000

Contact Specialist
Alexandre Ghotbi
Head of Sale
+41 22 317 81 81
aghotbi@phillips.com

The Geneva Watch Auction: SEVEN

Geneva Auction 12-13 May 2018