US import tariffs: Non-US origin lots in this sale (including watches and timepieces with Swiss-made or non-US made movements) will be subject to special tariffs upon import to the USA, currently ranging from 10% to 39% on the total invoice price (hammer price plus buyer’s premium). Buyers are responsible for paying any applicable tariffs, duties, taxes and charges when importing their purchased lots. Due to the evolving nature of international trade regulations, we recommend clients consult with their local customs office or advisor for up-to-date information on the applicable tariffs.
40
Patek Philippe
Ref. 1518
A very fine, important and iconic yellow gold perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch with moonphases
- Estimate
- CHF200,000 - 400,000€216,000 - 432,000$251,000 - 502,000
CHF635,000
Lot Details
- Manufacturer
- Patek Philippe
- Year
- 1946
- Reference No
- 1518
- Movement No
- 863'741
- Case No
- 644100
- Material
- 18k yellow gold
- Calibre
- Manual, cal. 13'''130, 23 jewels
- Bracelet/Strap
- Leather
- Clasp/Buckle
- 18k yellow gold Patek Philippe pin buckle
- Dimensions
- 34.5mm diameter
- Signed
- Case, dial, movement and buckle signed
- Accessories
- Accompanied by Patek Philippe Service Invoice dated May 23, 2025 and Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch in 1946 and its subsequent sale on September 5, 1947.
Specialist
Full-Cataloguing
Catalogue Essay
Introduced in 1941 amidst global tumult, the groundbreaking ref. 1518 stands as the first perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch ever produced in series. As the forefather of Patek Philippe's perpetual calendar chronograph lineage, the ref. 1518's design DNA can be seen in subsequent references like the 2499, 3970, 5970, and today's 5270. This model paved the way for the manufacturer’s enduring legacy as the finest producer of complicated wristwatches and created a true design code for the category: windows at 12 o’clock for day and month, and counters a 3, 6, 9 respectively for the chronographic minutes, the date and the running seconds. A plethora of information lyrically arranged for optimized legibility and aesthetic balance, this is one of the best examples of the concept of industrial art - and indeed the design persists to today.
With only 281 examples made over its 14-year production run accordingly to research, the ref. 1518 is exceptionally rare and is considered one of the overall “endgame models” when it come to watch collecting overall.
The present yellow gold example represents the watch in its most archetypical and earliest iteration: yellow gold with long signature dial. Freshly serviced by Patek, the overall looks of the watch are extremely impressive with a strong case boasting lovely hallmarks. The dial appears to be in “as new” condition and indeed it is as the owner requested Patek Philippe to perform a complete dial restoration. The company thus brought back the dial to its original splendor.
In mechanically perfect condition, with a lovely case (untouched during the service) and featuring a literally “as new” dial thanks to Patek Philippe’s care, this timepiece is ideal for the collectors that want an iconic 1518 from the 1940s with performance close to a modern watch, making it a vintage grail as ready to spend wrist time as any current piece.
With only 281 examples made over its 14-year production run accordingly to research, the ref. 1518 is exceptionally rare and is considered one of the overall “endgame models” when it come to watch collecting overall.
The present yellow gold example represents the watch in its most archetypical and earliest iteration: yellow gold with long signature dial. Freshly serviced by Patek, the overall looks of the watch are extremely impressive with a strong case boasting lovely hallmarks. The dial appears to be in “as new” condition and indeed it is as the owner requested Patek Philippe to perform a complete dial restoration. The company thus brought back the dial to its original splendor.
In mechanically perfect condition, with a lovely case (untouched during the service) and featuring a literally “as new” dial thanks to Patek Philippe’s care, this timepiece is ideal for the collectors that want an iconic 1518 from the 1940s with performance close to a modern watch, making it a vintage grail as ready to spend wrist time as any current piece.
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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