Lot Essay
With Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch with silvered dial and gold indexes in 1980 and its subsequent sale on 7 January 1981.
For younger generations of watch collectors it is probably unimaginable that only thirty years ago watches, even when finished by the most distinguished manufacturers, did not feature sapphire crystal case backs. Those are today considered a must for any maker wanting to share the beauty and quality but also intricacy of their movements.
Whereas there is no official document or chapter in literature dedicated to the genesis of sapphire case backs for "civil" use (deck watches and chronometers submitted to timing trials in observatories always had glazed backs), one can conclude that reference 2499/100 was a key forerunner of this development.
In fact, research reveals that it all started as a mind game of a distinguished European client of Patek Philippe who, in 1983, wished his reference 2499/100 to be fitted with a sapphire crystal back which would allow him to admire its movement. One obviously immediately understands the impossibility to use a solid case back, cut out the centre and replace it by a sapphire crystal disc due to the movement's height and the fitting construction required. Consequently, the collector also suggested using a shape much comparable to the bezel covering the dial of the watch - raised in shape in order to allow sufficient space for the hands between the dial and the crystal. After lengthy considerations and studies, this idea was approved by Mr. Stern and, according to our understanding, three examples of ref. 2499/100 were equipped with such backs: the first one for the European collector, bearing movement no. 869'403 and with his name engraved by Patek Philippe on the gold rim of the glazed back, one for Mr. Stern and one for a director of Patek Philippe. To the best of our knowledge the first two are still enjoying their personal examples and the present watch is consequently the only known reference 2499/100 of this series to have ever come to the public market.
Another highly attractive "bonus" this watch is accompanied by is the fact that it is probably the world's most famous reference 2499/100 since its movement and case numbers are appearing on David Penney's line drawings used in Patek Philippe Wristwatches by Martin Huber & Alan Banbery, first and second edition, both to the inside of the front and back covers of the tomes, as well as on pp. 226-230 (first edition) and on pp. 298-302 (second edition), beautifully illustrating the functioning of the calendar and chronograph work. The watch is furthermore sold with two prints featuring David Penney's drawings and his signature David Penney 1986.
The present reference 2499/100 is undoubtedly of great value for any collector and scholar thanks to its case back and prominent history. On top of that it is preserved in lovely, unspoilt condition; as a matter of fact, the case was most likely never polished, resulting that the two gold marks on the left band are crisp as one would hope for.
Reference 2499
Reference 2499, widely acknowledged to be one of the world's greatest watch models ever created, has without doubt significantly influenced the designs of many of the most renowned watchmakers. Introduced to the market in 1950, it replaced the legendary reference 1518, the world's first perpetual calendar wristwatch with chronograph made in series (see lots 83 and 370 in this auction).
Over a period of 35 years, reference 2499 was made in four series with a total production of only 349 pieces, the majority cased in yellow gold. The rarity of this model becomes evident when considering that on average only 9 watches left Patek Philippe's workbench each year.
Reference 2499 is generally divided into the following four series:
- first series: square chronograph buttons, applied Arabic numerals and tachymetre scale
- second series: round chronograph buttons, either applied baton or applied Arabic numerals and tachymetre scale (see lot 159 in this auction)
- third series: round chronograph buttons, applied baton numerals and outer seconds divisions
- fourth series, such as the present watch: round chronograph buttons, applied baton numerals, outer seconds divisions and sapphire crystal
The model is illustrated in Patek Philippe Wristwatches by Martin Huber & Alan Banbery, second edition, pp. 302 & 304.
For younger generations of watch collectors it is probably unimaginable that only thirty years ago watches, even when finished by the most distinguished manufacturers, did not feature sapphire crystal case backs. Those are today considered a must for any maker wanting to share the beauty and quality but also intricacy of their movements.
Whereas there is no official document or chapter in literature dedicated to the genesis of sapphire case backs for "civil" use (deck watches and chronometers submitted to timing trials in observatories always had glazed backs), one can conclude that reference 2499/100 was a key forerunner of this development.
In fact, research reveals that it all started as a mind game of a distinguished European client of Patek Philippe who, in 1983, wished his reference 2499/100 to be fitted with a sapphire crystal back which would allow him to admire its movement. One obviously immediately understands the impossibility to use a solid case back, cut out the centre and replace it by a sapphire crystal disc due to the movement's height and the fitting construction required. Consequently, the collector also suggested using a shape much comparable to the bezel covering the dial of the watch - raised in shape in order to allow sufficient space for the hands between the dial and the crystal. After lengthy considerations and studies, this idea was approved by Mr. Stern and, according to our understanding, three examples of ref. 2499/100 were equipped with such backs: the first one for the European collector, bearing movement no. 869'403 and with his name engraved by Patek Philippe on the gold rim of the glazed back, one for Mr. Stern and one for a director of Patek Philippe. To the best of our knowledge the first two are still enjoying their personal examples and the present watch is consequently the only known reference 2499/100 of this series to have ever come to the public market.
Another highly attractive "bonus" this watch is accompanied by is the fact that it is probably the world's most famous reference 2499/100 since its movement and case numbers are appearing on David Penney's line drawings used in Patek Philippe Wristwatches by Martin Huber & Alan Banbery, first and second edition, both to the inside of the front and back covers of the tomes, as well as on pp. 226-230 (first edition) and on pp. 298-302 (second edition), beautifully illustrating the functioning of the calendar and chronograph work. The watch is furthermore sold with two prints featuring David Penney's drawings and his signature David Penney 1986.
The present reference 2499/100 is undoubtedly of great value for any collector and scholar thanks to its case back and prominent history. On top of that it is preserved in lovely, unspoilt condition; as a matter of fact, the case was most likely never polished, resulting that the two gold marks on the left band are crisp as one would hope for.
Reference 2499
Reference 2499, widely acknowledged to be one of the world's greatest watch models ever created, has without doubt significantly influenced the designs of many of the most renowned watchmakers. Introduced to the market in 1950, it replaced the legendary reference 1518, the world's first perpetual calendar wristwatch with chronograph made in series (see lots 83 and 370 in this auction).
Over a period of 35 years, reference 2499 was made in four series with a total production of only 349 pieces, the majority cased in yellow gold. The rarity of this model becomes evident when considering that on average only 9 watches left Patek Philippe's workbench each year.
Reference 2499 is generally divided into the following four series:
- first series: square chronograph buttons, applied Arabic numerals and tachymetre scale
- second series: round chronograph buttons, either applied baton or applied Arabic numerals and tachymetre scale (see lot 159 in this auction)
- third series: round chronograph buttons, applied baton numerals and outer seconds divisions
- fourth series, such as the present watch: round chronograph buttons, applied baton numerals, outer seconds divisions and sapphire crystal
The model is illustrated in Patek Philippe Wristwatches by Martin Huber & Alan Banbery, second edition, pp. 302 & 304.