Manufacturer: Patek Philippe Year: 1956 Reference No: 2482 Movement No: 706'782 Case No: 691'210 Material: 18K pink gold Calibre: Manual, cal. 27SC, 18 jewels, stamped with the Geneva Seal Bracelet/Strap: Patek Philippe alligator strap Clasp/Buckle: 18K pink gold Patek Philippe pin buckle Dimensions: 36mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement, strap and buckle signed Accessories: Accompanied by Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch in 1956 and its subsequent sale on January 11, 1958.
Catalogue Essay
Patek Philippe produced the reference 2482 from 1950, and ceased production around 1960. At that time, the 36mm diameter of the watch was an oversized anomaly in Patek Philippe's line of production; intriguingly, today the size is perfectly in tune with the current fashion, especially considering the dress watch nature of the piece. It was fitted with the 27 SC movement, arguably one of the best center second movements of the 20th century - which will be used as the basis for Patek Philippe’s center seconds perpetual calendar movement (27SCQ).
The present example distinguishes itself for the superior condition of preservation of both case and dial. Most notably, the sculpted lugs are well preserved, without noticeable losses of material due to overpolishing. The dial as well is preserved in excellent condition, without restorations or losses to the engraved/enameled graphics.
The model was known with a number of different dial variations, the present one being arguably one of the most rare and attractive, defined by the two-tone nature of the finish (obtained thanks to the different inclination of the outer dial sector), and the thin baton indexes (as opposed to the short baton or square indexes sometimes found on 2482 two-tone dials).
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.