Manufacturer: Patek Philippe Year: 1956 Reference No: 2533 Movement No: 705'513 Case No: 691'540 Material: 18K yellow gold Calibre: Manual, cal. 27SC, 18 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Leather Clasp/Buckle: Gold plated pin buckle Dimensions: 34.5mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial and movement signed Accessories: Accompanied by Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch in 1956 and its subsequent sale on October 2, 1956.
Catalogue Essay
Reference 2533 was launched in 1952 (together with its non-center seconds sibling ref. 2532) as a replacement for reference 565. In fact, the curved design of the case is obviously inherited from the previous model, but it has been updated with more modern details. Following the fashion of the time, an extra bevel was added to the outer countour of the case as well as a stepped bezel, which endorsed more complex design. Such minute details are extremely sensitive to polishing and can be fully appreciated only on an untouched case, such as the one of the present piece.
What is most remarkable, however, is the fact that the watch features Breguet numerals. A dial configuration as attractive as it is rare; this is in fact the first time a reference 2533 appears with this highly sought-after dial configuration.
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.