Manufacturer: Patek Philippe Year: 1950 Reference No: 1526 Movement No: 966'354 Case No: 663'001 Material: 18k yellow gold Calibre: Manual, cal. 12'''120 Q, 18 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Leather Clasp/Buckle: 18k yellow gold Patek Philippe pin buckle Dimensions: 34mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and pin buckle signed Accessories: Accompanied by Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch in 1950 and its subsequent sale on 23rd August 1951.
Catalogue Essay
Patek Philippe reference 1526 is a historically important timepiece, in production from 1940 to 1952, this timepiece combines elegance, calatrava-style case and a minimalist and clean dial considered to be ahead of its time. Such is the appreciation of this watch that this reference has been used as benchmark for what classic perpetual calendar timepieces should truly look like.
Furthermore, reference 1526 was the first serially produced perpetual calendar wristwatch, in production for only a few years it is estimated that only 210 examples are known, with a sole exception in stainless steel, the majority of the examples are predominantly in yellow gold and a fraction in pink gold.
The simplicity of the “Calatrava” style case and serene silver dial is counterbalanced by the magnificently hand decorated movement that mechanically calculates the length of each month throughout the year, whilst also accounting for leap years.
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.
