Important Watches: Part I
Important Watches: Part I
Property from an Important Private Asian Collector
Patek Philippe
'Second Series Flat Dial', Reference 2499 | A highly important and incredibly well preserved, one of only two known yellow gold perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch with moon phases and flat dial, accompanied by original Gobbi fitted box and yellow gold bracelet | Made in 1954
Auction Closed
November 10, 01:01 PM GMT
Estimate
2,000,000 - 4,000,000 CHF
Lot Details
Description
Dial: silvered
Calibre: cal. 13-130 Q manual winding, 23 jewels
Movement number: 868’758
Case: 18k yellow gold, snap-on case back
Case number: 2’621’546
Closure: 18k yellow gold Patek Philippe buckle and 18k yellow gold Patek Philippe bracelet with locking clasp
Size: 37.5 mm diameter
Signed: case, dial and movement
Box: yes
Papers: no
Accessories: Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the watch in 1954 and its subsequent sale on 1 November 1962 and Gobbi presentation case
Phillips, Geneva, November 2021, Lot 247
Family of the Original Owner
The reference 2499 was launched in 1950 and was a replacement of the celebrated reference 1518. At the time it was the only perpetual calendar chronograph produced on the market which lasted for the next 3 decades. The 2499 reference can be divided into 4 series and was discontinued in 1985.
The present 2499 is highly important for a number of reasons. Firstly, it is from the second series that is distinguished by the round pushers and tachymetre scales. Secondly, it is the overall state of preservation with terrific case and dial with hard enamel scales throughout. What further elevates this watch to make it even rarer and more sought after comparing to the other 9 pink gold examples known is the dial. Upon further inspection, the connoisseur would note that the dial is known as a ‘flat dial’ and one of only 2 known examples.
This example first surfaced at auction in 2021 and has been remained in the same prominent collection ever since. The watch itself is highly charismatic not only due to the flat dial that is original and well preserved. The case is also very well preserved with strong proportions and crisp steps to the lugs with hallmarks identifiable on each side of the lugs.
Accompanied by a fitted Gobbi presentation case, one would conclude that although the bracelet is not confirmed from the Extract of the Archives, it would have been supplied by the famed Italian retailer.