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.