Patek Philippe - The Geneva Watch Auction: XV Geneva Saturday, May 7, 2022 | Phillips

The Geneva Watch Auction: XV

Geneva Auction 7 - 8 May 2022

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    • Manufacturer: Patek Philippe
      Year: 1947
      Reference No: 1518
      Movement No: 867'243
      Case No: 646'599
      Model Name: "Pink on Pink"
      Material: 18K pink gold
      Calibre: Manual, cal. 13'''130, 23 jewels
      Bracelet/Strap: Leather
      Clasp/Buckle: 18K pink gold Patek Philippe pin buckle
      Dimensions: 35mm Diameter
      Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed
      Accessories: Accompanied by Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch in 1947 and its subsequent sale on January 26, 1949.
      Provenance: Christie's, Geneva 10 May 2010, Important Watches Including a Connoisseur’s Vision Part II, lot 370.
      Literature: This watch is described and prominently pictured in the book "Patek Philippe Orologi Complicati da Polso" by P. De Vecchi and G. Gregato, pp. 104, 105

    • Provenance

      Christie's, Geneva 10 May 2010, Important Watches Including a Connoisseur’s Vision Part II, lot 370.

    • Literature

      This watch is described and prominently pictured in the book "Patek Philippe Orologi Complicati da Polso" by P. De Vecchi and G. Gregato, pp. 104, 105

    • Catalogue Essay

      Please note, this Lot is a Premium Lot. To bid on the Lot you must complete and satisfy our Premium Lot pre-registration procedure no later than 24 hours before the start of the Auction session in which it is offered. Please contact the Department for details

      The “1518” has been a reference point for high-end Patek Philippe collectors since the very beginning of the field. Its status has only strengthened in recent years, thanks to the knowledge about important timepieces becoming more and more widespread. Any watch enthusiast today knows that it is the first perpetual calendar/chronograph made in series by the company, that it is incredibly scarce (with a total production of 281 pieces) and that if owning a yellow gold version is an aspirational dream for most people, variations in different metals are, without exaggerating, stellar timepieces which only the most dedicated collectors will ever be granted the privilege to even only hold in their hands, let alone posses.

      The pink gold reference 1518 with pink dial is never "just another watch". It is reserved for the very highest echelons of collecting. Most notably a pink gold reference 1518 with pink dial and original certificate broke the record for highest value wristwatch ever sold at auction in 2021, and the "Jean Claude Biver" pink gold reference 1518 with pink dial broke records for that model when it sold at auction in 2020.

      The present timepiece is indeed a representative of this rarefied category. As apparent at first glance, not only it is the rare and attractive pink gold variation - already an incredibly rare timepiece - but it furthermore features a salmon dial. So called “pink-on-pink” 1518 are outstandingly attractive timepieces: the warmth of the pink gold case echoed by the salmon dial grants to the piece a more wearable and somehow carefree attitude than their yellow gold siblings, without however impairing in the least the gravitas of the watch. Unfortunately, such aesthetic appeal is fully matched by their disarming rarity: so far, only a dozen pieces are known from the public market, rendering this configuration one of the rarest watches in the world.

      The present example impresses not only with its condition, but with its provenance as well.

      The case fully preserves its architecture, without a hint of the tapering of the lugs so often seen in this reference. The hallmark to the band is still easily discernible and the one behind the lug is deep and crisp. The dial is absolutely unrestored and without a trace of cosmetic enhancement, and yet the engraved/enamel graphics are practically flawless, without fading or losses whatsoever and the salmon tonality of the dial is remarkably intense. The back of the dial bears - as expected - the movement number of the watch (twice) confirming the timepiece was born with the dial.

      In fact, when analysing the known pink-on-pink 1518s, an intriguing fact can be observed. The three case numbers prior to the present 646’599 (596, 597 and 598) and the one after it (600) are all pink gold 1518s, and all of them feature salmon dials as well. This indicates that this dial variation was executed in batches, albeit very small (of probably 6 watches per batch, and obviously at least 5).

      The provenance of the watch is no less impressive than its condition and originality. It was first made publicly known with the publication of the book “Patek Philippe Orologi Complicati da Polso”, which details one of the most important private collections of complicated Patek Philippe wristwatches ever assembled. The collection was sold at auction in four instalments under the title “A Connoisseur’s Vision” between 2009 and 2011. Indeed, the present piece was sold in Geneva in May 2010, and since then it stayed in the same European collection, which also happens to be one of the most prominent Patek Philippe collections in the world.

      The iconic 1518 has always been considered a stellar timepiece, but in recent times its monumental collectibility and importance has being truly understood and its status as Ultimate Grail unarguably recognised by the collector’s community. This example offers an exceptionally rare opportunity for the most serious wristwatch collectors to posses a true legend of watchmaking, ticking all the boxes with its impressive provenance, stunning “pink on pink” configuration and absolutely unrestored condition.

    • 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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Please note, this Lot is a Premium Lot. To bid on the Lot you must complete and satisfy our Premium Lot pre-registration procedure no later than 24 hours before the start of the Auction session in which it is offered. Please contact the Department for details

✱213

Patek Philippe

Ref. 1518
An outstanding, very important and superbly attractive pink gold chronograph wristwatch with perpetual calendar, moonphases and pink dial

1947
35mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement and buckle signed

Full Cataloguing

Estimate
CHF1,200,000 - 2,400,000 
€1,180,000-2,360,000
$1,270,000-2,550,000

Sold for CHF3,297,000

Contact Specialist

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

+41 22 317 81 81
AGhotbi@phillips.com

Tiffany To
Head of Sale, Geneva

+41 22 317 96 63
TiffanyTo@phillips.com

The Geneva Watch Auction: XV

Geneva Auction 7 - 8 May 2022