Patek Philippe - Geneva Watch Auction: TWO Geneva Saturday, November 7, 2015 | Phillips

Geneva Watch Auction: TWO

Geneva Auction 7 & 8 November 2015 6:30pm

  • Manufacturer: Patek Philippe
    Year: 1954
    Reference No: 2438/1
    Movement No: 888'105
    Case No: 687'970
    Material: 18k yellow gold
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 27SC, 18 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Crocodile
    Clasp/Buckle: 18k yellow gold buckle, signed PPCo
    Dimensions: 37 mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial and movement signed. Outer caseback further engraved "Antenor Patiño Jr, Love, Mother, 1958"
    Accessories: With Extract from the Archives confirming year of manufacture in 1954 and its subsequent sale on 23rd June 1958, and fitted presentation box

  • Catalogue Essay

    The Patek Philippe reference 2438/1 was launched shortly after its sister reference 2497 in 1951. The celebrated reference 2438/1 was the brand’s first perpetual calendar made in series with centre seconds to feature a screw down caseback, making the watch water-resistant – and very practical to wear.

    The dial is categorized as a second series fitted with applied yellow gold baton hour markers and stunning dauphine hands. The dial, in superb condition, features apertures for the day and month reading in French.

    Encased in 18k yellow gold, the reference 2438/1 houses the calibre 27 SC Q perpetual calendar movement with phases of the moon. The rounded Wenger-made case incorporates a screwdown caseback with beautifully curved, stepped lugs.

    The present example was manufactured in 1954, and was eventually sold in 1958. The engraving on the caseback reads “Antenor Patiño Jr, Love Mother 1958”, signifying he was the original owner. His mother, Francesca Turner, was a famous model and actress from Texas, who became a well-known socialite as a result of her successful career.

    Antenor Patiño Jr. was the son of Antenor Patiño and grandson of Simon I. Patiño, a Bolivian industrialist formerly nicknamed the “King of Tin”, as well as “The Andean Rockefeller”. Simon Patiño was a well-established businessman, and ranked as one of the world’s wealthiest men at the time of his death.

    A watch with such provenance and in such well-preserved condition, also accompanied by the presentation box and Extract from the Archives, makes it a truly collectible timepiece of enduring value.

  • 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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Σ186

Patek Philippe

Ref. 2438/1
A very rare and important yellow gold perpetual calendar wristwatch with moon phases, center seconds and screw-back, formerly the property of Antenor Patiño Jr

1954
37 mm Diameter
Case, dial and movement signed. Outer caseback further engraved "Antenor Patiño Jr, Love, Mother, 1958"

Estimate
CHF230,000 - 330,000 

Contact Specialist
Nathalie Monbaron
+41 22 317 81 83

Geneva Watch Auction: TWO

Geneva Auction 7 & 8 November 2015 6:30pm