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

The Geneva Watch Auction: XIII

Geneva Auction 8 - 9 May 2021

  • Manufacturer: Patek Philippe
    Year: 1953
    Reference No: 2499
    Movement No: 868'538
    Case No: 691'605
    Material: 18K yellow gold
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 13''', 23 jewels, stamped twice with the geneva Seal
    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 1953 and its subsequent sale on October 1, 1956.

    • Manufacturer: Patek Philippe
      Year: 1953
      Reference No: 2499
      Movement No: 868'538
      Case No: 691'605
      Material: 18K yellow gold
      Calibre: Manual, cal. 13''', 23 jewels, stamped twice with the geneva Seal
      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 1953 and its subsequent sale on October 1, 1956.

    • Catalogue Essay

      For an in-depth introduction to ref. 2499, please see lot 208.

      Represented by this stupendous yellow gold example, the first series of reference 2499 is the most immediately recognisable of the four, as it features square pushers rather than the round ones seen on all other series. Two case makers have been employed for the case production. Consequently, first series cases present subtle differences according to the maker that produced them.
      The earliest examples feature a Vichet case, with a 36mm diameter, flat back and lugs more “claw-shaped” and less downturned. Later examples are made by Wenger - they will make nearly all of the cases for the rest of the 2499 production until 1985 - and feature a slightly larger 37.5mm diameter, markedly downturned lugs and a bombé caseback.

      Dial-wise, the first series features the same design as reference 1518. Two different variation are known: one with the date ring enclosed by boundaries (identical to parent reference 1518), and a second one where the date ring present no such delimitation. As their ancestor, first series dial present a tachymeter scale and Arabic numerals.

      First series 2499 examples are known in yellow and pink gold and are unanimously considered to sit in the highest echelon of watch collecting. The scarcest of all series, it was in production only less than a decade, in the 1950s - though Vichet cases are not seen after 1953.

      Only very few first series pieces were made, of which a handful is known in pink gold.

      The present example is without a doubt one of the best preserved to ever appear at auction. The case is in stupendous condition, perfectly maintaining the lug architecture, and sporting two extremely crisp hallmarks behind the lugs. The dial is even better: only the slightest hint of off-white patina is a clue to the passage of time. Otherwise, the engraved/enamelled graphics are as clear and raised as the day the dial left the workshop; even the accent on the “e” of Genève - a details notoriously sensitive and often lost - is present. Made in 1953, it is one of the last first series case made. It features an “open” date ring, as expected from a late production first series. Last seen on the public market in 2008, the present watch features an additional highly intriguing detail: the presence of an Italian calendar. Mostly featuring English or French calendar, Patek philippe perpetual calendar watches are known to feature other languages on the dial discs as well, with Italian being extremely rare: only 4 first series yellow gold examples feature this detail.

    • 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.

      View More Works

161

Patek Philippe

Ref. 2499
An extremely fine, rare and important yellow gold perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch with moonphases and Italian calendar

1953
37.5mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement and buckle signed

Full Cataloguing

Estimate
CHF1,000,000 - 2,000,000 
€911,000-1,820,000
$1,100,000-2,190,000

Sold for CHF1,966,000

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