Patek Philippe - The Geneva Watch Auction: XVII Geneva Saturday, May 13, 2023 | Phillips

Create your first list.

Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.

  • Manufacturer: Patek Philippe
    Year: 1965
    Reference No: 2499
    Movement No: 869'338
    Case No: 2'632'531
    Material: 18K yellow gold
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 13''', 23 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Leather
    Clasp/Buckle: 18K yellow gold Patek Philippe buckle stamped PATEK PHILLIPE
    Dimensions: 37.5mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming the date of manufacture in 1965 and its subsequent sale on December 23, 1965. Furthermore accompanied by a copy of Christie’s New York catalog, An evening of Exceptional Watches dated June 13, 2018.

  • Catalogue Essay

    One of the most interesting reference 2499s to come to the market in recent years, the present watch is distinguished by its fascinating and extraordinary provenance. Having originally been part of the Mel Blanc collection sold at auction on April 12, 2006, it was bought by a private collector and has been kept in a safe for over a decade until its sale this year in 2023.

    An avid watch collector and enthusiast, Mel Blanc had bought a number of timepieces throughout his lifetime. In 1946, Blanc received his very first watch from his wife - a minute repeating pocket watch by Patek Philippe. Throughout the years, he eventually collected over 500 watches and clocks. While a substantial portion of his watch collection was sold at auction in 1997, another half a dozen timepieces came to the market in 2006 with the present watch being the "crown jewel" of the selection.

    Known as "The Man of Thousand Voices", having voiced over immortal personalities such as Bugs Bunny, Porky Pig, Daffy Duck, Tweety Pie, Sylvester, Taz, Road Runner and Wile E. Coyote, among others, Mel Blanc today remains a legend in the world of animation. He is regarded not only as one of the most renowned people in the voice acting industry, but one of the greatest voice actors of all time.

    Blanc was born on May 30, 1908 in San Francisco, California. From a young age, he had a talent and apt for voices and dialects, having began his radio career at the age of 19 in 1927 and eventually co-hosting a radio show in 1933. Throughout the 1930s, he took on freelance work for Los Angeles-area radio stations and joined Leon Schlesinger’s animation unit at Warner Bros. studios, which is when his career really took off. Schlesinger’s team produced the influential cult animation Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies cartoon shorts. Blanc’s first assignment was to voice over the drunken bull in the 1937 short Picador Porky, and the rest, as they say is history. Blanc lived a fruitful career, voicing over 3000 cartoons, and immortalising the catchphrase "Eh, what's up, doc?"

    The story of the Patek Philippe reference 2499 is well known today among collectors and scholars. Launched in 1951, the model replaced its predecessor reference 1518 and was made for a period of 34 years until 1985, in four different series. A total of 349 pieces were made, making this a highly exclusive reference in the company’s history. The model can be generally divided by the following characteristics:

    First series: Square chronograph buttons, applied Arabic numerals and tachymeter scale.

    Second series: Round chronograph buttons, either applied baton or applied Arabic numerals and tachometer scale.

    Third series: Round chronograph buttons, applied baton numerals and outer seconds divisions, such as the present example.

    Fourth series: Round chronograph buttons, applied baton numerals, outer seconds divisions and sapphire crystal.

    The present example is preserved in extremely original and charming condition. The case is presented in a very impressive state of preservation, with the fluting to the lugs present and visible on all four sides. A slight layer of oxidation can be found on the edge of the bezel, adding to its charm. Furthermore, two hallmarks on the side of the lugs are visible along with signs of the original factory finish. The dial too is preserved in equally charming condition, with raised enamel graphics still present. An even more interesting detail is the rarely found Henri Stern buckle with the brand mis-spelt "PATEK PHILLIPE" - these buckles are very collectible today.

    Given its historical importance, stellar rarity and absolute good looks, the present reference 2499 third series is one of the most intriguing examples to come to the market in recent years. If this watch could speak, one can only imagine the stories it would tell - from the life it led, to the parties it attended and personalities it encountered, it was a product of the golden era of Hollywood.

  • 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.

    View More Works

140

Ref. 2499
An extremely rare and well-preserved yellow gold perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch with moonphases, formerly from the collection of Mel Blanc

1965
37.5mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement and buckle signed

Estimate
CHF350,000 - 500,000 
€364,000-520,000
$400,000-571,000

Sold for CHF622,300

Contact Specialist

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

+41 79 637 17 24
AGhotbi@phillips.com

Tiffany To
Head of Sale, Geneva

+41 79 460 55 88
TiffanyTo@phillips.com

The Geneva Watch Auction: XVII

Geneva Auction 13 - 14 May 2023