Manufacturer: Patek Philippe Year: 1954 Reference No: 2526 Movement No: 760’679 Case No: 682’788 Material: 18K yellow gold Calibre: Automatic, cal. 12-600 AT, 30 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Leather Clasp/Buckle: 18K yellow gold Patek Philippe pin buckle Dimensions: 35.5mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed. Movement further signed HOX. Accessories: Accompanied by a Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch in 1954, and its subsequent sale on October 1st, 1954. Additional, later custom-made sapphire crystal back in 18 karat gold.
Catalogue Essay
Patek Philippe’s reference 2526 is a paragon of mid-20th century design aesthetic. The brand’s first self-winding wristwatch, it is a legend in the horological world for both its innovative caliber 12-600AT and classic masculine design with sensual enamel dial. Introduced in 1953, it has a timeless quality that is as contemporary today as it was 66 years ago. The automatic, in-house caliber, produced from 1953 until approximately 1960, is a work of art with the handcrafted 18k gold guilloché bi-directional rotor crested with the PP signature. It is considered by many to be amongst the finest automatic movements ever made.
The present example is fresh-to-the-market with a ”first series” off-white enamel dial featuring the recognizable flared enamel surrounding the top and bottom of each hour marker, as well as around the centers of the hour, minute, and seconds hands. The movement is stamped “HOX” indicating the watch was destined for the United States, and this is further confirmed by the crisp 18K gold hallmark to the case back, another feature found on watches exported to the States. It is interesting to note that the watch is accompanied by an additional, later associated sapphire screw back so the movement is visible – custom made at significant expense.
With a flawless dial, it is a lovely example of a reference 2526 featuring the qualities that attract connoisseurs today. Its large size, easy wearability, and iconic design make this an exceptional wristwatch for any collector.
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.
