74
Patek Philippe
Ref. 2526
A highly attractive and rare yellow gold wristwatch with enamel dial and box
- Estimate
- CHF25,000 - 40,000€22,000 - 35,200$25,600 - 41,000
Lot Details
- Manufacturer
- Patek Philippe
- Year
- 1956
- Reference No
- 2526
- Movement No
- 763'665
- Case No
- 695'995
- Material
- 18K yellow gold
- Calibre
- Automatic, cal. 12-600AT, 30 jewels
- Bracelet/Strap
- Leather
- Clasp/Buckle
- 18K yellow gold PPCo buckle
- Dimensions
- 36mm Diameter
- Signed
- Case, dial, movement and buckle signed.
- Accessories
- Accompanied by original fitted Patek Philippe box and by Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch in 1956 and its subsequent sale on July 24, 1957
Specialist
Full-Cataloguing
Catalogue Essay
The Patek Philippe reference 2526 is a remarkable timepiece on many accounts. It features an elegant 36mm case with screwed caseback and houses Patek Philippe’s first automatic movement, the caliber 12-600AT, considered by enthusiasts as one of the most beautiful vintage movements. The true wow-factor however, is its beautiful egg shell enamel dial, with caramel printing.
Enamel dials require skill, dexterity and talent to produce. They undergo a double baking process in a kiln oven at high temperatures which can lead to the cracking of the enamel, resulting in high rejection rates and important costs to the manufacturers. As such enamel dials are always made in small numbers,they are not only beautiful, but incredibly rare.
Made between 1953 and 1960, the reference 2526 remains one of Patek Philippe’s greatest achievements, not only in terms of complications but in terms of obtaining the perfect balance between design (the case), craftsmanship (the dial) and mechanics (the movement).
The present example, in very appealing condition, retains its original opposing “P” crown and fitted box and is a worthy addition to any vintage collection.
Enamel dials require skill, dexterity and talent to produce. They undergo a double baking process in a kiln oven at high temperatures which can lead to the cracking of the enamel, resulting in high rejection rates and important costs to the manufacturers. As such enamel dials are always made in small numbers,they are not only beautiful, but incredibly rare.
Made between 1953 and 1960, the reference 2526 remains one of Patek Philippe’s greatest achievements, not only in terms of complications but in terms of obtaining the perfect balance between design (the case), craftsmanship (the dial) and mechanics (the movement).
The present example, in very appealing condition, retains its original opposing “P” crown and fitted box and is a worthy addition to any vintage collection.
Literature
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.
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