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.
