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Patek Philippe

Ref. 2456

A very fine and attractive rectangular-shaped yellow gold wristwatch

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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.

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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