Manufacturer: Patek Philippe Year: 1982 Reference No: 4521/1 Movement No: 1’405’375 Case No: 555’002 Material: 18K yellow gold and diamond Calibre: Manual, cal. 16-250, 18 jewels Bracelet/Strap: 18K yellow gold Patek Philippe bracelet, max length 160mm Clasp/Buckle: 18K yellow gold Patek Philippe folding clasp Dimensions: 21.5mm width Signed: Dial, case, movement, bracelet and clasp Accessories: Further delivered with Patek Philippe Extract from the Archive confirming its date of manufacture in 1982 and its subsequent date of sale on 26th May 1982
Catalogue Essay
The present example is a beautiful and elegant yellow gold and diamond-set ladies wristwatch with an impressive Milanese braided bracelet and further charmed by the mesmeric blue guilloche enamel dial. During the 1980’s manufacturers such as Patek Philippe enhanced its value on creating luxurious timepieces for ladies. The present example is fitted with a manual caliber which was considered somewhat extraordinary as the whole industry was shifting towards the quartz movement.
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.