Patek Philippe - The Geneva Watch Auction: XIII Geneva Saturday, May 8, 2021 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Patek Philippe
    Year: 1964
    Reference No: 2499
    Movement No: 869'331
    Case No: 2'632'523
    Material: 18K yellow gold
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 13''', 23 jewels, stamped "HOX"
    Bracelet/Strap: Leather
    Clasp/Buckle: 18K yellow gold Patek Philippe pin buckle
    Dimensions: 37.5mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch in 1964 and its subsequent sale on January 29, 1965.

    • Manufacturer: Patek Philippe
      Year: 1964
      Reference No: 2499
      Movement No: 869'331
      Case No: 2'632'523
      Material: 18K yellow gold
      Calibre: Manual, cal. 13''', 23 jewels, stamped "HOX"
      Bracelet/Strap: Leather
      Clasp/Buckle: 18K yellow gold Patek Philippe pin buckle
      Dimensions: 37.5mm Diameter
      Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed
      Accessories: Accompanied by Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch in 1964 and its subsequent sale on January 29, 1965.

    • Catalogue Essay

      If one were to ask a Patek Philippe connoisseur which one is the reference that best encapsulates the ethos, savoir-faire, aesthetics and craftsmanship of the company, the are good chances that the answer will be: “Reference 2499”. It is today in the genetic code of Patek Philippe as important and relevant as, for example, the Submariner is for Rolex, or the Tank for Cartier. This model has become over the years one of the “gold standards” against which many - if not all - Patek Philippe complicated models are weighted.

      The present 1964 example is a representative of the third series of the reference. It sports an engraved/enamelled dial - as expected from an example of this era - furthermore in absolutely superb condition, and an equally well preserved case. It can be arguably considered, in terms of condition, one of the most remarkable representatives of ref. 2499. The crisp hallmark to the side of the lug matches the sharp edges. Even the tiny flat metal ring present on the bezel around the crystal features remarkable sharpness on its edge with the bezel side. An absolutely impressive, best-in-class example of this hallowed model. The dial as well is breathtaking. It is the engraved/enamelled version - as expected from a 1964 example - instead of the much more easy to produce printed version (introduced in the 1970s). All graphics are in perfect condition and without losses, the enamel wonderfully raised above the dial surface.

      The third series remained in production for about two decades, from 1958 to ’78 circa. While the case presents virtually no differences with second series cases (but was made exclusively by the casemaker Wenger: no Vichet third series are known, while Vichet examples are known from the first and second series), the dial - which now sports exclusively baton numerals - presents a small modification compared to previous series which however dramatically alters the overall “look-and-feel” of the watch: the tachymeter scale is removed. This decision allowed for a much more airy design, which is in perfect accord with the predominant fashion of the 1960s/1970s. Given the spacious, simpler dial, third series 2499 watches offer a remarkably more modern vibe than their earlier counterparts.

      Notwithstanding the 2 decades production run, the third series of the reference presents no evolution of the dial, which is the same throughout the entire production. What changes is production methodology, with engraved/enamelled dials abandoned in favour of printed dials during the 1970s - as mentioned earlier. A few black dial pieces are known.

      While slightly more swift than in earlier times, production of third series pieces still just crawled, with about 10 examples made per year.

      Jealously kept in the same collection for the most part of the past two decades, the present timepiece last appeared on the public market in October 2004.

    • 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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100

Ref. 2499
A very fine, rare and highly important yellow gold perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch with moonphases

1964
37.5mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement and buckle signed

Full Cataloguing

Estimate
CHF400,000 - 800,000 
€363,000-726,000
$436,000-871,000

Sold for CHF852,800

Contact Specialist

Alexandre Ghotbi
Head of Watches, Continental Europe and the Middle East

41 79 637 1724
aghotbi@phillips.com

 

 

The Geneva Watch Auction: XIII

Geneva Auction 8 - 9 May 2021