Manufacturer: Patek Philippe Year: 1956 Reference No: 2481 Movement No: 705’473 Case No: 693’053 Model Name: Calatrava Material: 18K yellow gold Calibre: Manual, cal. 27 SC, 18 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Crocodile Clasp/Buckle: Gilt pin buckle Dimensions: 36.6mm diameter Signed: Case, dial and movement signed Accessories: Delivered with a Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming the date of manufacture of the present timepiece in 1956 and its subsequent date of sale on 27th September 1956.
Catalogue Essay
The Patek Philippe ref. 2481 was introduced in 1950 offering a wide array of dials including the highly desirable cloisonné enamel dial depicting various scenes. Furthermore, the reference featured a large 36.6mm “V” shaped case with elegant stepped lugs to match with the attractive curves of the case. Regarded as one of the largest wristwatches produced at the time by the firm, the reference was dubbed as “King Size”. The case was measured made by Le Locle-based case maker Bernard Dubois and was offered in yellow gold and pink gold with only one example in platinum known in the market.
Across all metals, it is estimated that only 1,000 examples of the reference was produced from 1950 to 1960. The present example in yellow gold featuring a silvered dial with lapped gold indexes is an excellent one boasting a nice and attractive case with a clean dial. The present timepiece is delivered with a Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming the manufacture of the present timepiece in 1956 with its corresponding case and movement numbers.
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.