Manufacturer: Patek Philippe Year: 1964 Reference No: 2461 Movement No: 977'763 Case No: 2'644'140 Material: 18K white gold Calibre: Manual, cal. 9"90, 18 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Alligator Clasp/Buckle: 18K white gold pin buckle signed PP&Co Dimensions: 42mm. Length; 23mm. Width Signed: Case, dial, movement an pin buckle signed Accessories: Accompanied by Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch in 1964 and its subsequent sale on 17 November 1971.
Catalogue Essay
The reference 2461 was launched in 1950 and is a larger successor of reference 425. This timepiece is visually stimulating. The wonderfully curved case contrasts with the tension of the angular crystal showing artistic sensitivity and dichotomy.
The four baguette diamonds at 3, 6, 9 and 12 o’clock add a dash of exuberance to this watch which stands out by its excellent overall condition. The facets to the sides, sensitive to careless polishing, are clearly defined and the gold hallmark on the case side and 18K stamp on the case back are perfectly crisp.
Approximately 500 watches were manufactured during the reference's 15 year production, the majority of which were cased in yellow gold and platinum, research shows that the present watch is the only example in white gold and without subsidiary seconds having appeared in an international auction room.
Since 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.