Patek Philippe - The Geneva Watch Auction: SIX Geneva Friday, November 10, 2017 | Phillips

The Geneva Watch Auction: SIX

Geneva Auctions 11 - 12 November 2017

  • Manufacturer: Patek Philippe
    Year: 1971
    Reference No: 2499
    Movement No: 869'441
    Case No: 2'637'716
    Material: 18K pink gold
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 13''', 23 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Leather
    Clasp/Buckle: 18K pink gold PPCo. pin buckle
    Dimensions: 37.5mm. Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by fitted presentation box and Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming date of production of the present watch in 1971 and its subsequent sale on June 14, 1972.
    Literature: Reference 2499 is illustrated in Patek Philippe Wristwatches by Martin Huber & Alan Banbery, second edition, pp. 302 & 304, and in Patek Philippe Museum - Patek Philippe Watches, Volume II, pp. 306-307.

  • Catalogue Essay

    A general intake of breath, speeding pulse and lack of superlatives are the immediate reactions when first seeing this spectacular example of Patek Philippe’s reference 2499.

    Made in 1971, this watch seems to have jumped directly into a time machine travelling directly to 2017, so immaculate is its condition. This achingly gorgeous timepiece’s case is untouched, the dial is bedazzling and the movement is flawless.

    Superlative adjectives are used to describe an object which is at the upper or lower limit of a quality. With the present reference 2499 superlatives are hard to find, is it the best? The most perfect? The most beautiful? For us, it is a mix of all these and so much more. It is a vision of beauty and grace woven from the same material as dreams.

    The case of present watch has never been polished, as evidenced by the large proportions of the case. The signature stepped lugs are powerful, the dial is pristine with the raised hard enamel writing perfectly intact and the movement has not been touched since it left the Patek Philippe ateliers in 1971.

    There are times when a particular complication is associated immediately with a brand. The perpetual calendar chronograph is unmistakably part of Patek Philippe’s genetic code, a complication for which Patek Philippe has set the benchmark and of which is the undisputed leader.

    To fully understand this interlink, one must go back to the reference 1518 from 1941 when Patek Philippe launched its first perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch, which also happened to be the world’s first perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch made in series.

    Reference 2499 replaced reference 1518 in 1951 and was made for a period of 34 years, until 1985, in four different series. A total of 349 pieces were made, making this a highly exclusive reference in the company’s history.

    - First series: Square chronograph buttons, applied Arabic numerals and tachometer scale.

    - Second series: Round chronograph buttons, either applied baton or applied Arabic numerals and tachometer scale.

    - Third series: Round chronograph buttons, applied baton numerals and outer seconds divisions, as with the present timepiece.

    - Fourth series: Round chronograph buttons, applied baton numerals, outer seconds divisions and sapphire crystal.

    Only 6 examples of the reference 2499 third series in pink gold like the present gem are known. The present example with its two sided baton markers (as opposed to the usual four facets) and large pyramid indexes is only one of two known.

    The other five known examples of a third series reference 2499 are in some of the world's most elite private collections scattered over the globe, whether in Europe, Hong Hong or the East and West Coast of the United States.

    The arrival on the market of the present gem should not be taken lightly or underestimated. Certain collectors may want to wait until another example shows up on the market. However, considering the spectacularly untouched condition of the present watch there will not be another similar example. PERIOD

  • 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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Ο187

Patek Philippe

Ref. 2499
An extremely rare, attractive and exceptionally well preserved pink gold perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch with moonphases

1971
37.5mm. Diameter
Case, dial, movement and buckle signed

Estimate
CHF1,500,000 - 3,000,000 
€1,290,000-2,590,000
$1,550,000-3,100,000

Sold for CHF2,772,500

Contact Specialist
Alexandre Ghotbi
+41 22 317 81 89
aghotbi@phillips.com

The Geneva Watch Auction: SIX

Geneva Auctions 11 - 12 November 2017