Manufacturer: Patek Philippe Year: 1955 Reference No: 2526 Movement No: 761'963 Case No: 688'956 Material: 18K yellow gold Calibre: Automatic, cal. 12-600AT, 30 jewels, stamped with the Geneva Seal Bracelet/Strap: Alligator Clasp/Buckle: 18K yellow gold Patek Philippe pin buckle Dimensions: 36mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed Accessories: Accompanied by box and Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch in 1955 with enamel dial and raised gold indexes, and its subsequent sale on February 2, 1956
Catalogue Essay
The Patek Philippe reference 2526 is a remarkable timepiece on many accounts. Aesthetically, it features a large 36mm Calatrava-style case with domed screw back with superb wrist presence as well as high elegance.
The true wow-factor of this example however, is its enamel dial with gold printing.
The daunting creation process (it is said that for first series dials, 9 out of 10 pieces had to be discarded during production) commanded a simplification of the dial construction; early watches such as the present one - first series - feature a dial with flared holes for each numeral. Second series enamel dials present no such detail, the indexes being glued to the surface of the enamel. Third series dials are simply made of metal, the enamel construction completely abandoned. Obviously, the intrinsic rarity and beauty of enamel dials - especially first series - render these timepieces highly collectible.
Mechanically, reference 2526 is as impressive as it is aesthetically as it is fitted with the first automatic movement created by Patek Philippe (cal. 12-600 AT), which was the result of decades of R&D and is considered still to this day one of the most technically advanced and most superbly finished automatic movements ever made by any brand.
Made between 1953 and 1960, reference 2526 remains one of Patek Philippe’s greatest achievements, obtaining the perfect balance between design (the case), craftsmanship (the dial) and mechanics (the movement).
The present first series example fully embodies the ethos of this landmark model and it is offered in excellent condition, having been recently serviced at Patek Philippe.
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.