Manufacturer: Patek Philippe Year: 1956 Reference No: 2551 Movement No: 763’254 Case No: 692’549 Material: 18k pink gold Calibre: Automatic, cal. 12-600 AT, 30 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Leather Clasp/Buckle: 18k pink gold buckle Dimensions: 36mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial and movement signed Accessories: Accompanied by Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming the production of the present example in 1956 and its subsequent date of sale on 27th February 1957
Catalogue Essay
The automatic caliber 12-600AT was Patek Philippe’s first self-winding movement, and thought by many to be one of the best made by any manufacturer. The reference 2551, produced from 1954 until 1960, was the second Patek Philippe model to feature this caliber, the first was the iconic 2526. The watch was housed in a two-piece A. Wenger case with screw back and stepped downturned lugs.
The present example, in pink gold, is fresh to the market, and has a dial “A” configuration featuring triangular hour markers with an Arabic 12 numeral and dauphine hands. It is believed that only 230 examples in total were made in pink gold with only 22 examples known in the market. The present example is presented in very nice overall condition, and is a wonderful example of the world-class design and engineering of Patek Philippe.
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.