Manufacturer: Patek Philippe Year: Circa 1955 Reference No: 2526 Movement No: 764'248 Case No: 696'062 Material: Platinum and diamonds Calibre: Automatic, cal. 12-600 AT, 30 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Leather Clasp/Buckle: Platinum Patek Philippe pin buckle Dimensions: 35.5mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed Accessories: Accompanied by Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives.
Catalogue Essay
Originally introduced to the market in 1953, The Patek Philippe reference 2526 was the brand's very first automatic wristwatch and set the standard for a timeless and elegant case design. Offered in yellow, pink, and white gold, as well as platinum like the present example, the 35.5mm diameter Baumgartner-fabricated case was oversized for the era, but due to its thicker proportions, perfectly suits contemporary tastes.
Inside, the timepiece beats thanks to Patek Philippe's very first automatic movement, caliber 12-600 AT. Still considered to this day to be one of the best automatic movements ever created, the history of the movement is as intricate as its beauty. Patek Philippe, just like other manufacturers, was not able to produce an automatic movement with a 360 degree rotor until Rolex’s patent expired. Rather than spending time on less optimal solutions (bumper rotors, hinged-lugs winding, etc.), Patek Philippe focused its R&D on the cal. 12-600 for over two decades, waiting for the patent to expire.
Remarkably, only 24 examples of platinum 2526s are known to scholars, and only 14 examples display the current dial configuration. Furthermore, the present timepiece, which is preserved in excellent overall condition with a sharp hallmark beneath the lug, comes with an additional enamel dial also preserved in excellent condition and additional plexiglass. The present Patek Philippe reference 2526 is certainly a great examples, making it a trophy watch for even the most discerning collector.
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.