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Patek Philippe

Ref. 2526

A highly rare and attractive yellow gold wristwatch with enamel dial, bracelet, original certificate and documentation

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Patek Philippe’s first automatic wristwatch, the legendary reference 2526, was introduced to the market in 1953 and set the standard for a timeless and elegant case design. Reference 2526 was launched with the celebrated caliber 12-600 AT - Patek Philippe’s first automatic movement, considered by many to be the most beautiful self-winding movement made by any manufacturer.

Fresh to the auction market, the present first series example is distinguished not only by its near-pristine condition, but also by the presence of many original documents. It is accompanied by its Patek Philippe Certificate of Origin and receipt dated November 10, 1955, along with a letter and receipt from Patek Philippe dated January 7, 1957 regarding the purchase of an additional bracelet fitted to the dimensions of the original owner's wrist. It is even accompanied by product literature and a period catalog, with a note from the original owner chronicling his purchase of the watch. Such documents are incredibly scarce and precious, as they give insight into the history and character of each timepiece, showing its life and history. It is furthermore preserved in excellent condition with crisp hallmarks, and a very well-preserved first series dial which does not display cracks.

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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