Patek Philippe - The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XIX Hong Kong Saturday, November 23, 2024 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Patek Philippe
    Year: 1954
    Reference No: 2552
    Movement No: 760’815
    Case No: 686’451
    Model Name: “Disco Volante”
    Material: 18K yellow gold
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 12-600AT, 30 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: 18K yellow gold Tiffany & Co. bracelet, max length 180mm
    Clasp/Buckle: 18K yellow gold Tiffany & co. deployant clasp stamped “PAT’D, C+B”
    Dimensions: 36mm diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement signed, dial and bracelet signed Tiffany & Co.
    Accessories: Accompanied by Tiffany & Co. fitted presentation box. Further delivered with the Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming the date of manufacture of the present timepiece in 1954 and its subsequent date of sale on 16th September 1955.
    Literature: Reference 2552 is illustrated in Patek Philippe Wristwatches by Martin Huber & Alan Banbery, second edition, p. 215

  • Catalogue Essay

    Bestowed with a charming moniker, the Patek Philippe ref. 2552 “Disco Volante” features a modern and refined stepped case. Translated as “Flying Saucer” in Italian, the ref. 2552 was produced from 1954 until 1960 and was powered by the brand’s first legendary self-winding calibre 12-600.

    With a different wrist presence in comparison to the ref. 2526 sculpted case and the ref. 2551, the ref. 2552 takes a balance between the two. Design and crafted by A. Wenger (Key number 1) featuring wide stepped bezel and down turned lug, the references all share the same desirable double P crown design. Naturally drawing you inwards, the incredible vanilla hued dial has gained a charming almost champagne gold ring that graduates towards the centre. Its spectacular hard raised enamel signature is blessed with the prestigious Tiffany & Co signature at 12 o’clock making this a highly collectible example. An exceptionally well-preserved timepiece, to the best of our knowledge, approximately 60 yellow gold examples have publicly appeared in the market, and only a mere of 6 examples carries the Tiffany & Co. signature.

    Diving deeper, the case is stamped with strong hallmark on the lug, the inventory code “5532” vividly hand engraved on the back of the top lug as one should find it, as well as ‘451’ on the inner surface, the numbers matches perfectly to the case number of the present timepiece. It's screwed down caseback retains crisply stamped 18K mark that is known to be unforgiving under polishing.

    And of course, opening its caseback does not fail to impress you. It houses Patek Philippe’s superb automatic caliber 12-600 beautifully hand decorated and stamped with the Geneva seal which features a gold guilloché rotor and Patek Philippe’s signature Gyromax balance. Furthermore, the movement is stamped accordingly with ‘HOX,’ the correct import mark for the American market.

    The icing on the cake is the matching gold Tiffany & Co. bracelet that elevated the aesthetic of the ref. 2552. A beautiful silky mesh bracelet that will wrap perfectly around a collector’s wrist, the present timepiece is furthermore confirmed by the Patek Philippe as an example from 1954 and is certainly one of the most enticing specimen to resurface the market.

  • 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.

    View More Works

Property of an Important Asian Collector

848

Ref. 2552
A highly rare and well-preserved yellow gold double-signed wristwatch with small seconds, stepped bezel, bracelet and presentation box, retailed by Tiffany & Co.

1954
36mm diameter
Case, dial, movement signed, dial and bracelet signed Tiffany & Co.

Estimate
HK$150,000 - 250,000 
€17,600-29,300
$19,200-32,100

Sold for HK$444,500

Contact Specialist

Thomas Perazzi
Head of Watches, Asia
+852 2318 2030
WatchesHK@phillips.com
 

Gertrude Wong
Head of Sale, Hong Kong
+852 2318 2045
gertrudewong@phillips.com
 

The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XIX

Hong Kong Auction 23 - 24 November 2024