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

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  • Manufacturer: Patek Philippe
    Year: 1957
    Reference No: 2526
    Movement No: 764’544
    Case No: 2’601’160
    Model Name: Calatrava
    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 present timepiece’s date of manufacture in 1957 and its subsequent date of sale on 6th June 1958.

  • 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 distinctive features for each series of the ref. 2526 are as follows:

    1st series: The enamelled dials are topped with riveted index markers where they are set in their holes using two small cylinder pins. The 6 o’clock index is almost as large as other indexes, with later examples fitted with smaller ones. The watch is closed with a domed screw-down caseback. Movement numbers in the first series range from 760’000 to 761’699 while their case numbers range from 674’XXX – 684’XXX.

    2nd series: The enamelled dial is adorned with laid indexes (glued) and the 6 o’clock marker is notably smaller. Like the 1st series, the 2nd series is fitted with a domed screw-down caseback. Movement numbers range from 760’500 to 763’999 while their case numbers range from 674’XXX to 684’XXX.

    3rd series: As shown in the present timepiece, examples from this generation are blessed with enamelled dials that look the same as the 2nd series and are fitted with upgraded flat screw-down casebacks. Movement numbers range from 761’700 to 767’099 while their case numbers range from 681’XXX – 2’613’XXX.

    4th series: The enamelled dial on the final iteration is designed with a slightly different signature. They are powered by the updated cal. 27-460, rather than the original cal. 12-700. Movement numbers range from 1’100’000 to 1’100’999 while their case numbers range from 2’606’XXX – 2’613’XXX.



    The present Patek Philippe ref. 2526 in yellow gold is from the 3rd series, bearing case and movement numbers that are consistent with examples from the respective series. Boasting a beautifully preserved off-white enamel dial with shorter index at 6 o’clock, the watch is closed with a flat screw-down caseback topping it off with its original forged “double P” crown. Delivered with its Extract from the Archives, this is no doubt a star collectible for vintage connoisseurs.

  • 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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Property from an Important Asian Collector

Σ989

Ref. 2526
An extremely elegant, refined and rare yellow gold wristwatch with small seconds and enamel dial

1957
35mm diameter
Case, dial, movement and buckle signed

Estimate
HK$150,000 - 250,000 
€18,200-30,300
$19,200-32,100

Sold for HK$304,800

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