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Lot Essay
Accompanied by a Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch in 1977 and its subsequent sale on August 30th of the same year. Further accompanied by a Patek Philippe presentation box and outer packaging.
To the best of our knowledge this watch has never before been offered in public.
Produced from 1949 to 1985, the total output for reference 2499 is 349 examples. This means an incredibly low annual production of some 9 pieces a year. Such limited availability, combined with the incredibly good looks of the reference, made this model incredibly desirable at the time of its commercialization, frustrating countless Patek Philippe clients around the world. With its discontinuation, it became an absolute classic of watch collecting.
The reference 2499 is the heir to reference 1518, the first serially produced perpetual calendar chronograph of all time. As a matter of fact, even during production of reference 2499 Patek Philippe was the only manufacturer to feature this set of complication in series.
The technical complexity of the timepiece marries the perpetual calendar and the chronograph, two of the most useful complications in horology, thus combining traits to the allure of being one of the most refined and difficult-to-obtain watches of all time.
The aesthetic impact of the timepiece stems from a multiplicity of factors: mainly the generous 37.5 mm diameter, absolutely oversized at the time of its first inception, but totally in line with today’s standards, and its iconic lugs, defined by the carved groove to the upper outer edges. While it would seem a trivial detail, the impact on the timepiece is gargantuan, transfiguring the overall look with a mixture of stately importance and subtly playful exuberance.
Reference 2499 is classified in four distinct series:
First series: with square chronograph pushers and dial with railway minute divisions
Second series: with round pushers and dial with railway minute divisions
Third series: with round pushers and without railway minute divisions (such as the present timepiece)
Fourth series: like the third series, but with sapphire crystal instead of plastic
To the best of our knowledge this watch has never before been offered in public.
Produced from 1949 to 1985, the total output for reference 2499 is 349 examples. This means an incredibly low annual production of some 9 pieces a year. Such limited availability, combined with the incredibly good looks of the reference, made this model incredibly desirable at the time of its commercialization, frustrating countless Patek Philippe clients around the world. With its discontinuation, it became an absolute classic of watch collecting.
The reference 2499 is the heir to reference 1518, the first serially produced perpetual calendar chronograph of all time. As a matter of fact, even during production of reference 2499 Patek Philippe was the only manufacturer to feature this set of complication in series.
The technical complexity of the timepiece marries the perpetual calendar and the chronograph, two of the most useful complications in horology, thus combining traits to the allure of being one of the most refined and difficult-to-obtain watches of all time.
The aesthetic impact of the timepiece stems from a multiplicity of factors: mainly the generous 37.5 mm diameter, absolutely oversized at the time of its first inception, but totally in line with today’s standards, and its iconic lugs, defined by the carved groove to the upper outer edges. While it would seem a trivial detail, the impact on the timepiece is gargantuan, transfiguring the overall look with a mixture of stately importance and subtly playful exuberance.
Reference 2499 is classified in four distinct series:
First series: with square chronograph pushers and dial with railway minute divisions
Second series: with round pushers and dial with railway minute divisions
Third series: with round pushers and without railway minute divisions (such as the present timepiece)
Fourth series: like the third series, but with sapphire crystal instead of plastic