Affectionately known by collectors as “King Size”, the refeerence 2481 was introduced into the market in 1950 and was one of the largest wristwatches ever made by Patek Philippe. The model was not only available with the standard silvered dial but also with a cloisonné enamel version, depicting landscapes, maps and even portraits of renowned personalities. The present wristwatch is one of a very small number of timepieces specially commissioned to commemorate the reign of Abdulaziz “Ibn Saud” (1876-1953), King of Saudi Arabia. King Abduaziz “Ibn Saud” was the first monarch and founder of Saudi Arabia. This series of timepieces not only is a celebration of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia through the icon of its ruler, but also reifies the prominence King Abdulaziz “Ibn Saud” as a national symbol.

Distinguished by its excellent overall condition, the present watch has an ivory-colored enamel dial with the polychrome portrait of King Abdulaziz “Ibn Saud”, applied gold-mounted ruby-set numerals, gold dauphine hands and sweep center seconds. Dissimilar to many other Patek Philippe examples, the dial of the present example is unsigned, which is likely the manufacturer’s way to demonstrate the majesty of the King. The case back, instead, has the engraved signature. The case, movement and bracelet signed Patek Philippe, while clasp further signed Gay Frères – a remarkable bracelet maker of the twentieth century. The magnificent craftsmanship and grandeur of the case is further emphasized by the fact that the present watch is one of the very limited examples of which Patek Philippe employed Bernard Dubois – a renowned Le Locle-based artisan – to make the case, identified by the hammer head (specific to Neuchatel Canton makers) hallmark inside the case back and the number 171 (specific to the case maker).