製造商: Patek Philippe 年份: 1948 型號: 1518 機芯編號: 867'525 錶殼號碼: 653'822 材料: 18K pink gold 機芯: Manual, cal. 13''', 23 jewels 錶帶/ 錶鏈: Leather 錶扣: 18K pink gold Patek Philippe buckle stamped PPCo 尺寸: 35mm Diameter 簽名: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed 配件: Accompanied by Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch with raised hour markers in rose gold and caseback engraved initials in 1948 and its subsequent sale on 6 January 1950. 來源: Private collection of Jean-Claude Biver
來源
Private collection of Jean-Claude Biver
圖錄文章
Very likely one of the greatest and best preserved pink gold reference 1518s in existence, the present watch is a spectacular example in many ways. Known and spoken-about with mythical lore among even the most seasoned of collectors, the present timepiece represents a "once-in-a-lifetime" opportunity to acquire the best example of one of the rarest Patek Philippe variants to ever exist.
Having originally appeared at auction in 2011, it exceeded its original auction estimate by leaps and bounds when it first came on the market. Before its appearance at auction in 2011, it had remained with the same Swiss family since its purchase in 1950 at Patek Philippe's Geneva boutique. Thus, this watch can be considered one of the most "trustworthy" pink on pink reference 1518s to ever appear on the market, having resided in only two collections during its lifetime.
Pink gold reference 1518s were most often fitted with a silvered dial. It was only on very rare occasions that they were fitted with pink dials. So rare is this variant that only 13 examples of reference 1518 are known with a pink dial, making it one of the rarest and most exclusive complicated Patek Philippe wristwatches for a collector to acquire. Moreover, the present watch displays special blued steel hour and minute hands - apparently a special request from the original owner who was said to have required better legibility, making the present watch quite unique.
Its superlative state of preservation is highly noteworthy. The dial is preserved in stunning condition and has aged remarkably over time. Reference 1518 dials are notorious for tarnishing heavily due the model's snap-on bezel and caseback, which allowed moisture to seep through. However, this particular dial has aged beautifully. There is barely a spot or any signs of tarnishing, and the dial has aged to a particularly attractive warm rose-colored tone. The enamel signature remains thick and defined, with the accent above the "e" in "Genève" strong and present. The aperture windows at 12 o’clock are sharp and crisp, their definition and crisp edges attesting to the dial’s purity. The case is also preserved in breathtaking condition, displaying contrasting satin and polished finishes. The hallmark on the caseband is crisp, defined and sharp, as is the second hallmark on the side of the case.
Truly a monumental model, reference 1518 was the first perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch ever produced in series when it was introduced in 1941. According to research, only 281 examples were manufactured until the reference ceased production in 1954. It paved the way for successors references 2499, 3970, 5970 and finally, 5270, which features an in-house movement.
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.
