Manufacturer: Patek Philippe Year: 1954 Reference No: 2526 Movement No: 760'498 Case No: 682'227 Material: Platinum Calibre: Automatic, cal. 12-600, 30 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Leather Clasp/Buckle: 18k pink and white gold deployant buckle Dimensions: 36mm. Diameter Signed: Case, dial and movement signed Accessories: Accompanied by an Extract from the Archives confirming year of production of the present watch in 1954 and its subsequent sale on June 18, 1954
Catalogue Essay
Patek Philippe’s first automatic wristwatch, the legendary reference 2526 was introduced to the market in 1953. Launched with the celebrated caliber 12-600 AT, Patek Philippe’s first automatic movement, it is by many considered to be the most beautiful self-winding movement made by any manufacturer.
Produced predominantly in yellow gold, with a small series made in pink gold, and an even smaller series in white gold, reference 2526 examples cased in platinum are exceedingly rare, and remain the most difficult amongst collectors to acquire. When cased in platinum, they're more commonly seen with a silvered dial and diamond indexes.
If Patek Philippe’s reference 2526 in platinum isn’t rare enough, when fitted with an enamel dial and white gold baton hour markers the watch becomes exceedingly rare. With only five known, this particular example stands out from the group, as the extract clearly specifies it was born with an enamel dial, which is the ultimate treasure for collectors.
This watch has been well preserved by the owner, and remains in excellent overall condition with strong definition to the case and lugs. Accompanied by the Extract from the Archives, this watch is excellent value for the 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.