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Lot Essay
US$800,000-1,200,000
EUR521,000-786,000
Accompanied by the original Patek Philippe presentation box and an Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch in 1971 and its subsequent sale on June 14th, 1972.
The present watch is an extremely well preserved specimen and undisputedly one of the best reference 2499 examples ever to appear in public. Furthermore, it is only the fourth known third series in pink gold. Pampered throughout its life, as it rightly deserves, the watch has never been buffed or polished, evident from the fullness, superb definition and proportion of the case, with crisp hallmark, the lugs are also extremely sharp. Of equal importance, the dial is absolutely flawless with no service marks, the hard enamel signature and divisions are as pronounced as any purist would expect, in all suggesting the dial has never been restored or cosmetically enhanced.
Upon further inspection one would discover a very subtle, probably unique feature on the dial - the gold applied hour markers differs from any other markers on a Patek Philippe reference 2499 - the pyramidal indices at 3, 5, 7 and 9 o'clock are comparatively larger in size but foremost, all the baton markers are of two facets, rather than the regular four-facet, which is extremely unusual and intriguing. To the best of our knowledge, this is an unknown configuration until its inaugural visit to our auction arena.
Heir to the legendary Patek Philippe reference 1518, the world's first perpetual calendar wristwatch with chronograph function, the reference 2499 is acknowledged to be one of the most coveted and expensive wristwatches of all time. It is also crowned as one of the world's greatest models ever created and commands immediate possession by watch aficionados. It is undisputedly an icon of horological artistry. The reference 2499 perfectly embodies Patek Philippe's technological and artistic know-how, and has greatly inspired and influenced the configurations of many important wristwatches, needless to mention its successors the reference 3970 and 5970.
Produced in four series between 1950 and 1985, a mere 349 pieces were made in all, with no more than 45 examples in pink gold, of which less than 10 pieces belong to the third series.
In essence, each series has the following characteristics:
- 1st series: square chronograph pushers, applied Arabic numerals and tachymetric scale, "feuille" hands
- 2nd series: round chronograph pushers, applied baton hour markers or applied Arabic numerals and tachymetric scale, "feuille" hands
- 3rd series, such as the present watch: round chronograph pushers, applied baton hour markers and outer minute divisions, "dauphine" or "feuille" hands
- 4th series: round chronograph pushers, applied baton hour makers, outer minute divisions, sapphire crystal
For further illustration of this model please refer to Patek Philippe Wristwatches by Martin Huber & Alan Banbery, second edition, pp. 302 & 304.
EUR521,000-786,000
Accompanied by the original Patek Philippe presentation box and an Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch in 1971 and its subsequent sale on June 14th, 1972.
The present watch is an extremely well preserved specimen and undisputedly one of the best reference 2499 examples ever to appear in public. Furthermore, it is only the fourth known third series in pink gold. Pampered throughout its life, as it rightly deserves, the watch has never been buffed or polished, evident from the fullness, superb definition and proportion of the case, with crisp hallmark, the lugs are also extremely sharp. Of equal importance, the dial is absolutely flawless with no service marks, the hard enamel signature and divisions are as pronounced as any purist would expect, in all suggesting the dial has never been restored or cosmetically enhanced.
Upon further inspection one would discover a very subtle, probably unique feature on the dial - the gold applied hour markers differs from any other markers on a Patek Philippe reference 2499 - the pyramidal indices at 3, 5, 7 and 9 o'clock are comparatively larger in size but foremost, all the baton markers are of two facets, rather than the regular four-facet, which is extremely unusual and intriguing. To the best of our knowledge, this is an unknown configuration until its inaugural visit to our auction arena.
Heir to the legendary Patek Philippe reference 1518, the world's first perpetual calendar wristwatch with chronograph function, the reference 2499 is acknowledged to be one of the most coveted and expensive wristwatches of all time. It is also crowned as one of the world's greatest models ever created and commands immediate possession by watch aficionados. It is undisputedly an icon of horological artistry. The reference 2499 perfectly embodies Patek Philippe's technological and artistic know-how, and has greatly inspired and influenced the configurations of many important wristwatches, needless to mention its successors the reference 3970 and 5970.
Produced in four series between 1950 and 1985, a mere 349 pieces were made in all, with no more than 45 examples in pink gold, of which less than 10 pieces belong to the third series.
In essence, each series has the following characteristics:
- 1st series: square chronograph pushers, applied Arabic numerals and tachymetric scale, "feuille" hands
- 2nd series: round chronograph pushers, applied baton hour markers or applied Arabic numerals and tachymetric scale, "feuille" hands
- 3rd series, such as the present watch: round chronograph pushers, applied baton hour markers and outer minute divisions, "dauphine" or "feuille" hands
- 4th series: round chronograph pushers, applied baton hour makers, outer minute divisions, sapphire crystal
For further illustration of this model please refer to Patek Philippe Wristwatches by Martin Huber & Alan Banbery, second edition, pp. 302 & 304.