Patek Philippe

• cal.13-130Q damascened nickel lever movement, 23 jewels, bi-metallic compensation balance, 8 adjustments, precision regulator • silvered dial, applied pink gold Arabic numerals and feuille hands, apertures for day and month, subsidiary dials for constant seconds, 30-minute register and date combined with aperture for moon-phases, outer tachometer scale • large circular case with scooped bezel, stepped, curved down-turned lugs, the case sides and lugs satin finished, rectangular stain finished flat pushers with polished sides, snap-off flat case back with scooped edges, case back with London import hallmarks for 1955 • with an 18k pink gold Patek Philippe buckle



Accompanied by an Extract from the Archives confirming production in 1951 and sale on April 17th, 1956.

Sotheby's New York, April 5th, 2004, lot 335, Property of a Gentleman.

Extraordinary wristwatch - one of the finest perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatches to have appeared on the market by Patek Philippe. Movement running and all calendar and chronograph functions appear to be operating correctly; there is a scratch to one bridge in the movement. Lovely attractive dial with good colouration; enamel tracks and signature all clear, a few small spots and scuffs mainly to the subsidiaries and around some of the applied numerals. Fabulous case top with superb defintion, especially to the lugs which are clearly stepped and down-turned with an excellent profile - clear hallmarks to the left case side and underside of top left lug, case back as been polished in the past.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. All dimensions in catalogue descriptions are approximate. Condition reports may not specify mechanical replacements or imperfections to the movement, case, dial, pendulum, separate base(s) or dome. Watches in water-resistant cases have been opened to examine movements but no warranties are made that the watches are currently water-resistant. Please note that we do not guarantee the authenticity of any individual component parts, such as wheels, hands, crowns, crystals, screws, bracelets and leather bands, since subsequent repairs and restoration work may have resulted in the replacement of original parts. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue. In particular, please note it is the purchaser's responsibility to comply with any applicable import and export matters, particularly in relation to lots incorporating materials from endangered species.NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

**Please be advised that bands made of materials derived from endangered or otherwise protected species (i.e. alligator and crocodile) are not sold with the watches and are for display purposes only. We reserve the right to remove these bands prior to shipping.

Important Notice regarding importation into the United States of Rolex watches
Sotheby's cannot arrange for the delivery of Rolex watches to the United States because U.S. laws restricts the import of Rolex watches. The buyer or a designated agent may collect the property in the country of sale."

Reference 2499 is recognised as one of the most important perpetual calendar wristwatches ever made by Patek Philippe and the first series, in particular, is seen by many as the archetypal complication wristwatch. Manufactured between 1950 and 1985, only 349 examples in a total of four series were made. Research shows that approximately 40 pieces in the first series were made in yellow gold yet, in pink gold, to the best of our knowledge, only 4 examples are currently known. Interestingly the pink cases are numbered consecutively. There are two main case styles for the 2499 first series, one with a domed or rounded snap-on case back and shorter down-turned lugs, the other with flat snap-on case back and longer, more deeply curved and stepped lugs. Interestingly all four of the pink gold 1st series perpetual calendar reference 2499 wristwatches feature this more pronounced case.

The current outstanding example was supplied to the British market as demonstrated by the import hallmarks for London, 1955. Interestingly this is exactly the same year of import as the famous Asprey 2499 which bears the same hallmarks. (See Sotheby's, Geneva, November 14th, 2006, lot 325).

When the 2499 was originally launched in 1950, Patek Philippe was still the only watchmaker to manufacture such a complication. As a testament to the 2499's classic styling, reflections of the first series can be seen in the contemporary reference 5970 which echoes its forebear in both design and appearance, especially with its rectangular pushers and tachometer dial.

Please refer to the printed auction catalogue for further information, comparions and detailed photography.