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Patek Philippe
Ref. 1518
An exceptionally well-preserved, highly important, and attractive yellow gold perpetual calendar wristwatch with tachymeter scale, moon phase
完整圖錄內容
• Top quality specimen
• Case and dial in exceptionally well-preserved condition, deep and crisp hallmarks
• Noteworthy provenance with Latin American connection
• Beautiful example of reference 1518 dating to 1950
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When Patek Philippe released the reference 1518 in 1941, they introduced a milestone wristwatch that today is considered one of the most important watches of the 20th century. The reference 1518 was the first perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch produced by any brand in series, and set the course for Patek Philippe’s dominance in the world of high-end Swiss watchmaking.
The design aesthetic was a new and modern look with clean lines, elegant proportions, and extended, curved lugs. The case, manufactured by Emile Vichet S. A. for Patek Philippe with Poinçon de Maître key 9, evolved over the course of its 14 year history. So ahead of its time was the design, Patek Philippe continues to use its timeless aesthetic as the foundation for a long line of highly sought after successor models including the references 2499, 3970, 5970 and today’s 5270.
This landmark model can certainly be considered a must for any serious collector of vintage wristwatches but acquiring one has become more difficult given the scarcity of well-preserved examples coming to the market. Scholarship suggests that Patek Philippe produced approximately 281 examples, with the majority in yellow gold, exceedingly rare examples in pink gold, and only four known examples in steel. Patek’s exquisitely finished, manually wound caliber 13’’’130 Q is housed inside.
The present, exceptional yellow gold 1518 first appeared at auction in 2021, having been in the consignor’s family for over 25 years. The current consignor has maintained that level of preservation, as seen in the exquisite condition of the case and dial. The case is very strong, retaining its original factory finishing, and exhibiting full, thick lugs with perfectly round spring bar holes and crisp hallmarks, indicative of hardly any use and showing no signs of having been previously polished, in our opinion. The dial is stunning, showing no aging or any signs of prior interventions, with all of the original, raised hard enamel graphics remaining full and vibrant.
A personal engraving to the caseback indicates the watch was at one point the property of Mexican Army general and politician Eduardo Hernández Cházaro (1898-1957), a relative of Mexican president Francisco Lagos Cházaro. Delivered in 1950, at the time Cházaro, promoted to Brigadier General, was the commander of the 23rd Military Zone in Tlaxcala. He married Doña Sofía Lemus Ugarte de Mier, a descendent of one of the most established and wealthy noble families of Mexico, who founded the National Bank of Mexico.
A premium example for the most discerning connoisseur, with its exceptional state of preservation, fascinating provenance, and historical importance, it ticks all the boxes that collectors seek in a legendary vintage Patek Philippe wristwatch.
Patek Philippe
Swiss | 1839Since 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.