8016
Patek Philippe
Ref. 2526
An early, well-preserved and very rare yellow gold wristwatch with small seconds, enamel dial and Gay Frères bracelet
- Estimate
- HK$200,000 - 400,000€24,700 - 49,400$25,600 - 51,300
HK$508,000
Lot Details
- Manufacturer
- Patek Philippe
- Year
- 1955
- Reference No
- 2526
- Movement No
- 762'369
- Case No
- 689'041
- Material
- 18K yellow gold
- Calibre
- Automatic, cal. 12-600 AT, 30 jewels
- Bracelet/Strap
- 18K yellow gold Patek Philippe bracelet, max length 180mm
- Clasp/Buckle
- 18K yellow gold Patek Philippe clasp stamped “2.56”
- Dimensions
- 35.5mm diameter
- Signed
- Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed, bracelet further signed Gay Frères
- Accessories
- Delivered with Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming the bracelet in yellow gold, the date of manufacture of the present timepiece in 1955 and its subsequent date of sale on 15th June 1956.
Specialist
Full-Cataloguing
Catalogue Essay
- The Patek Philippe reference 2526 holds a significant place in the brand's history as the first self-winding wristwatch crafted by this legendary watchmaker. With a wearable 36mm size that remains appealing today, it is highly sought after by collectors eager to own a piece of Patek Philippe history that can be worn every day.
- Featuring the caliber 12-600 AT, this movement is the result of decades of research and development, and it is regarded as one of the most respected automatic movements ever created by any brand. It served as the foundational platform for future movement upgrades and innovations.
- The watch boasts an exquisite enamel dial, a daunting creation process characterized by high failure rates, especially in the early first series dials. The dial features flared holes for each numeral, with indentations around the hour markers, while the second series enamel dials lack this detail.
- The reference 2526 is also renowned for being fitted with bracelets from the master maker Gay Frères, considered the finest bracelet maker of the past century. This particular watch is accompanied by an Extract confirming the bracelet, and the stamping on the clasp “2 56” indicates it was made in the second trimester of 1956, perfectly aligning with the wristwatch's sale date of June 15, 1956.
- In great condition, this reference 2526 is a timeless gem designed to last, and it is poised to become even more collectible in the future.
- Featuring the caliber 12-600 AT, this movement is the result of decades of research and development, and it is regarded as one of the most respected automatic movements ever created by any brand. It served as the foundational platform for future movement upgrades and innovations.
- The watch boasts an exquisite enamel dial, a daunting creation process characterized by high failure rates, especially in the early first series dials. The dial features flared holes for each numeral, with indentations around the hour markers, while the second series enamel dials lack this detail.
- The reference 2526 is also renowned for being fitted with bracelets from the master maker Gay Frères, considered the finest bracelet maker of the past century. This particular watch is accompanied by an Extract confirming the bracelet, and the stamping on the clasp “2 56” indicates it was made in the second trimester of 1956, perfectly aligning with the wristwatch's sale date of June 15, 1956.
- In great condition, this reference 2526 is a timeless gem designed to last, and it is poised to become even more collectible in the future.
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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