Patek Philippe - The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XVII Hong Kong Friday, November 24, 2023 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Patek Philippe
    Year: 1954
    Reference No: 2526
    Movement No: 760’559
    Case No: 681’551
    Material: 18K yellow gold
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 12’’’600, 30 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Crocodile
    Clasp/Buckle: 18K yellow gold Patek Philippe pin buckle
    Dimensions: 35mm diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed
    Accessories: Delivered with Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming the date of manufacture of the present timepiece in 1954 and its subsequent date of sale on 27th August 1954.

  • Catalogue Essay

    Making its important debut in 1953, the Patek Philippe ref. 2526 is the firm’s first self-winding wristwatch that was serially produced. Adored and appreciated by collectors, the prestigious reference is arguably one of the most impressive time-only model ever manufactured by Patek Philippe due to its practical self-winding caliber, timeless design and its tastefully executed off-white enamel dial. Encased in yellow gold, pink gold, white gold and platinum, it is estimated that throughout its production spanning until 1960, an estimated 2,350 examples were encased in yellow gold across all four series.

    The present example Patek Philippe ref. 2526 in yellow gold from the first series features case and movement numbers that are consistent with examples from the respective series. Featuring an off-white enamel dial with shorter index at 6 o’clock and a domed screw-down caseback topping it off with its original forged “double P” crown. Elevating the importance and rarity of the present ref. 2526 is the detail that sits right above the gilt Patek Philippe signature. While any Patek Phillipe stamped with the coveted Tiffany & Co. signature is highly desirable, only a handful of Tiffany & Co. stamped example have appeared in the market. Fresh-to-the-market, this example is a must-have reference for vintage connoisseurs, this ref. 2526 is from 1954 confirmed from the Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives.

  • Artist Biography

    Patek Philippe

    Swiss • 1839

    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.

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Σ900

Ref. 2526
An elegant and extremely rare yellow gold wristwatch with small seconds, enamel dial, retailed by Tiffany & Co.

1954
35mm diameter
Case, dial, movement and buckle signed

Estimate
HK$390,000 - 800,000 
€45,800-94,000
$50,000-103,000

Sold for HK$1,016,000

Contact Specialist

Thomas Perazzi
Deputy Chairman, Watches, Head of Watches, Asia
+852 2318 2001
WatchesHK@phillips.com

The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XVII

Hong Kong Auction 24-25 November 2023