Manufacturer: Patek Philippe Year: 1951 Reference No: 2560 Movement No: 727'124 Case No: 685'475 Material: 18K yellow gold Calibre: Manual, cal. 12-400, 18 jewels, stamped twice with the Geneva Seal Bracelet/Strap: Leather Dimensions: 35mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial and movement signed Accessories: Accompanied by Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch in 1951 and its subsequent sale May 24, 1957
Catalogue Essay
In the 1950s, Patek Philippe began a gradual process of design experimentalism which moved gradually away from the standard round cases predominant for the previous 2 decades. This process brought eventually to the world whimsical creations such as the Gilbert Albert-designed pieces, the 2442 “Marylin Monroe” or the 2441 “Tour Eiffel”. The obscure reference 2560 is indeed a child of this time, the experimentalism evident with the unusual hooded lugs employed on this case.
The case was made by Le Locle based casemaker “Cedex, Charles Dubois SA”, identified by the number 170 in the hammerhead. Interestingly, the Dubois family had three branches, all of them into the case making business and each identifies by a different number (the other two being 171 and 172).
Even the most knowledgeable connoisseur of vintage watches might be stumped when admiring this exquisite timepiece, and with good reason. Reference 2560 appears to be one of the most elusive models in all of Patek Philippe’s production: so far only two pieces, including this example, have appeared on the market. The other known ref. 2560 appeared at auction in 1997 and now resides in the Patek Philippe museum, making this specimen the only one publicly available. A timepiece for the collector who wants to merge whimsical looks with the highest tier of exclusivity.
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.