Patek Philippe - Geneva Watch Auction: FOUR Geneva Friday, November 11, 2016 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Patek Philippe
    Year: 1951
    Reference No: 1518
    Movement No: 868’108
    Case No: 674’134
    Material: 18K yellow gold
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 13'''130 Q, 23 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Alligator
    Clasp/Buckle: 18K yellow gold stamped PP&Co
    Dimensions: 35mm. Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial and movement signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch in 1951 and its subsequent sale on 24 May 1954.
    Literature: Reference 1518 is illustrated in Patek Philippe Wristwatches by Martin Huber & Alan Banbery, first edition p. 231 pl. 386, second edition p. 303 pl. 459.

  • Catalogue Essay

    Patek Philippe’s reference 1518 is a milestone in the history of wristwatches and greatly contributed to the manufacturer's dominant position in the Swiss watchmaking industry. Launched in 1941. It is the very first perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch to be made in series and not only did it set the design elements used by Patek Philippe in all of its subsequent perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatches, but in its own manner, launched the series production of multi-complicated wristwatches within the Swiss industry (at an epoch where multi complications were bespoke orders). Scholarship indicates that only 281 examples of reference 1518 were made between 1941 and 1954, in yellow and pink gold as well as only four in stainless steel.
    The present lot is in unquestionably superb condition and appears on the market only for the second time. The masculine case, with its wide opening for the dial enhancing the impression of size, retains all of its original angles, lines, and edges as it originally left the factory. The gold hallmarks on the case flank are also perfectly crisp, providing further proof that the case was not submitted to polishing. The dial has aged with grace taking on a warm vanilla color and has never been restored, and the raised, hard enamel printing is perfectly crisp. Bringing life to this superb example of horological ingenuity is the manual caliber 13’’’130 Q (for Quantième, date in French), based on a Valjoux caliber 13Q which was modified by the distinguished house of Victorin Piguet to incorporate the calendar complications. The Geneva stamp indicates the painstaking and exquisite finishing applied to each and every component. The condition of the movement in the present lot is remarkable, and appears as if it just left the workshops of Patek Philippe in Geneva. The incredible condition of this timepiece along with its rarity make this reference 1518 a veritable trophy for the connoisseur of complicated Patek Philippe wristwatches.

  • Artist Biography

    Patek Philippe

    Swiss • 1839

    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.

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Σ100

Ref. 1518
An exceptional and extremely rare gold perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch with moon phases

1951
35mm. Diameter
Case, dial and movement signed

Estimate
CHF250,000 - 500,000 
€230,000-459,000
$258,000-515,000

Sold for CHF598,000

Contact Specialist
Alexandre Ghotbi
+41 22 317 81 89

Geneva Watch Auction: FOUR

Geneva Auctions 12 – 13 November 2016