Manufacturer: Patek Philippe Year: 1954 Reference No: 2503 Movement No: 976'211 Case No: 679'522 Material: 18k yellow gold Calibre: Manual, 9'''90 Bracelet/Strap: Crocodile Clasp/Buckle: 18k yellow gold Henri Stern buckle, signed PPC Dimensions: 42mm. Length Signed:Case, dial and movement signed Accessories:Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch in 1954 and its subsequent sale on September 10th, 1955. Literature: For another example of reference 2503, please see Patek Philippe Musuem, Patek Philippe Watches, Volume II, page 221
Catalogue Essay
Reference 2503 was made only during the 1950s and is only known to have been cased in yellow gold and pink gold. The present example is one of less than ten known today in yellow gold and comes from a private collection. Its rectangular shape is highlighted by the very prominent lugs and its silver dials set with Arabic and arrow shaped numerals.
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.