Manufacturer: Patek Philippe Year: 1958 Reference No: 2551 Movement No: 766’172 Case No: 2’605’411 Material: 18K pink gold Calibre: Automatic, cal. 12-600, 30 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Crocodile Clasp/Buckle: 18K pink gold Patek Philippe pin buckle Dimensions: 35.5mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle Accessories: Further delivered with Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming its date of manufacture in 1958 and its subsequent date of sale on 2nd October 1959.
Catalogue Essay
First introduced to the market in 1954, the Patek Philippe reference 2551 is the second reference to house the famous self-winding caliber 12-600. With a two-piece screw back stepped case made by the impressive A. Wenger, it is without a doubt attractive and further enhanced by its exquisite stepped lugs. The delicate silvered opaline dial with applied gold indexes matching its respective case, it is to no surprise that it was manufactured by one of the most discerned dial makers, Stern Frères with three versions known in total. Produced in yellow gold, pink gold, white gold and platinum, it is estimated that only 1372 examples were ever manufactured across all case materials, with majority encased in yellow gold. With an estimated 230 examples housed in pink gold, less than 25 pieces has surfaced on the market. Both white gold and platinum examples are produced significantly less than the other two respective metals.
The present example is an attractive reference 2551 encased in pink gold featuring an elegant silvered opaline dial featuring long and thin applied pink gold indexes and hands.
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.