Patek Philippe - The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XVIII Hong Kong Friday, May 24, 2024 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Patek Philippe
    Year: 1955
    Reference No: 2552
    Movement No: 761’777
    Case No: 688’245
    Model Name: "Disco Volante"
    Material: 18K yellow gold
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 12-600, 30 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: 18K yellow gold Tiffany & Co. bracelet, max length 175mm
    Clasp/Buckle: 18K gold Tiffany & Co. folding clasp stamped “PAT’D, C+B”
    Dimensions: 36mm diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement signed; dial and bracelet signed Tiffany & Co.
    Accessories: Accompanied by Tiffany & Co. Japan service paper. Further delivered with the Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming the date of manufacture of the present timepiece in 1955 and its subsequent date of sale on 30th November 1955.

  • Catalogue Essay

    Bestowed with a charming moniker, the Patek Philippe ref. 2552 “Disco Volante” features a modern and refined stepped case. Translated as “Flying Saucer” in Italian, the ref. 2552 was produced from 1954 until 1960. First and foremost, the model is powered by the brand’s first legendary self-winding calibre 12-600, sharing the same beating heart as its siblings 2526 and 2551, the model is the third from the lineage to be fitted with this very calibre.

    With a stronger wrist presence compared to the ref. 2526 thanks to its incredible wide stepped bezel design crafted by A. Wenger (Key number 1), they both share the same desirable double P crown design. Looking at the present timepiece, you will first notice its vanilla hued dial is blessed with a rather unique signature, the prestigious Tiffany & Co. An exceptionally well-preserved example, to our knowledge, only 60 yellow gold examples have publicly appeared in the market, and only a mere of 6 examples carries the Tiffany & Co. signature.

    Fresh-to-the-market, beautiful raised enamel can be admired throughout the dial, the case stamped with strong hallmark on the lug has gained a charming warm patina that connoisseurs will appreciate. Diving deeper, one can discover the inventory code “5835” vividly hand engraved on the back of the top lug, as well as ‘245’ the numbers matches perfectly to the case number of the present timepiece. It houses Patek Philippe’s superb automatic caliber 12-600 which is beautifully hand decorated and stamped with the Geneva seal, featuring a gold guilloché rotor and Patek Philippe’s signature Gyromax balance. Furthermore, the movement is accordingly stamped ‘HOX,’ the correct import mark for the American market.

    The icing on the cake is the matching gold Tiffany & Co. bracelet that elevated the aesthetic of the ref. 2552. Confirmed by the Patek Philippe, this is an example from 1955. It is also accompanied by service papers with detailed numbers from Tiffany & Co. Japan that documents the incredibly collectability of this gem.

  • 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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1079

Ref. 2552
A highly rare and well-preserved yellow gold double-signed wristwatch with small seconds, stepped bezel and bracelet, retailed by Tiffany & Co.

1955
36mm diameter
Case, dial, movement signed; dial and bracelet signed Tiffany & Co.

Estimate
HK$160,000 - 310,000 
€19,200-37,200
$20,500-39,700

Sold for HK$431,800

Contact Specialist

Thomas Perazzi
Deputy Chairman, Watches, Head of Watches, Asia
+852 2318 2031
WatchesHK@phillips.com
 

Gertrude Wong
Head of Sale, Hong Kong
+ 852 2318 2045
gertrudewong@phillips.com
 

The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XVIII

Hong Kong Auction 24 - 25 May 2024