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Lot Essay
Available from 1950 to 1957, the simple and elegant dial and the geometric design of the case of this model are precursors to a taste which will fully bloom in the 1960s and 1970s.
One of the most important and collectible non-round Patek Philippe models, reference 2554 was realized in three different case variations: one with flat bands, one with peculiarly flared bands (the so-called “manta ray”), and finally the present tonneau-shaped version which would appear to be much more rare than the other two.
This model was available in the three gold colors and in platinum. While a very rare model overall, with a total output estimated at around 400 pieces, the platinum version is a true grail watch, with a total output estimated at around 50 pieces, of which only a handful has so far resurfaced on the market. Notwithstanding the rarity of the material, the presence of the diamonds – fully confirmed by the Extract - makes this watch an absolutely outstanding find, as it is only the second such example to appear on the public market (the previous one was sold in 2003, and already fifteen years ago achieved more than 80’000 CHF). The importance of this model today is apparent when one considers that a non-bejeweled platinum example was sold at Christie’s New York in June 2015 for 75’000 USD.
Adding to the appeal of the piece, in a true crescendo of exceptional traits, this example furthermore is the only platinum piece to feature its original bracelet, also confirmed by the Patek Philippe Archives. It is stamped "Fab. Suisse", as is the case back, indicating an original French destination for the watch.
Such a destination market is more than expected for this timepiece, given that not only it includes a number of rare aesthetic features, but furthermore boasts a very distinguished provenance, its original owner being French singer and actor Maurice Chevalier. As a matter of fact, this piece was part of the thematic sale of Mr. Chevalier’s collection, held in 2013. On that occasion, the piece featured emerald setting rather than the current diamond setting, most probably a modification motivated by aesthetic preferences. The current owner restored the diamond setting, bringing the watch back to its original splendor.
Such a set of unusual and appealing characteristics makes the present watch an incredibly collectible timepiece, a supremely remarkable horological discovery, and an extremely rare occasion for the refined collector of important and uncommon timepieces.
MAURICE CHEVALIER
Born on September 12, 1888 in Paris, Maurice Chevalier can be considered one of the prototypical cross-platform international superstars. He began his career as a singer, discovered while performing unpaid at a café in 1901, and by the end of the decade he had already achieved fame in his country. After being injured during WWI and held prisoner of war in a German camp for two years, he returned to the stage and in 1928 he made his Hollywood debut as protagonist in the film “Innocent in Paris”. His popularity was enormous at the time, so much that the Marx brothers in their movie “Monkey Business” play stowaways on a cruise ship both trying to pass for Maurice Chevailer thanks to fake passports. Many of his songs - such as "Valentine" and "Paris sera toujours Paris" - are still well-known nowadays and part of the French collective cultural heritage.
Mr. Chevalier would appear to have been very successful in his love life as well, and some of his romantic interests include Frehél – at the time the biggest female star in France – in 1909; and dancer Mistinguette – 16 years his senior. He was married twice, from 1927 to 1932 to dancer Yvonne Vallée, and from 1937 to 1946 to Nita Rayan, both of them dancers.
After WWII, American press considered him close to the German regime, mainly because he performed in a German prison camp (in exchange for the liberation of 10 French soldiers, and after pressures from the regime who knew he was hiding a Jewish family in the South of France). This sentiment abated only in the 50’s, and in 1955 he held his first American tour. In 1957, more than twenty years after his last American film, he appeared on screen again in “Love in the Afternoon”, next to Audrey Hepburn and Gary Cooper.
His last cinematographic work will be singing the title song of Disney’s movie “The Aristocats” in 1970.
He passed away on New Year’s Day 1972.
One of the most important and collectible non-round Patek Philippe models, reference 2554 was realized in three different case variations: one with flat bands, one with peculiarly flared bands (the so-called “manta ray”), and finally the present tonneau-shaped version which would appear to be much more rare than the other two.
This model was available in the three gold colors and in platinum. While a very rare model overall, with a total output estimated at around 400 pieces, the platinum version is a true grail watch, with a total output estimated at around 50 pieces, of which only a handful has so far resurfaced on the market. Notwithstanding the rarity of the material, the presence of the diamonds – fully confirmed by the Extract - makes this watch an absolutely outstanding find, as it is only the second such example to appear on the public market (the previous one was sold in 2003, and already fifteen years ago achieved more than 80’000 CHF). The importance of this model today is apparent when one considers that a non-bejeweled platinum example was sold at Christie’s New York in June 2015 for 75’000 USD.
Adding to the appeal of the piece, in a true crescendo of exceptional traits, this example furthermore is the only platinum piece to feature its original bracelet, also confirmed by the Patek Philippe Archives. It is stamped "Fab. Suisse", as is the case back, indicating an original French destination for the watch.
Such a destination market is more than expected for this timepiece, given that not only it includes a number of rare aesthetic features, but furthermore boasts a very distinguished provenance, its original owner being French singer and actor Maurice Chevalier. As a matter of fact, this piece was part of the thematic sale of Mr. Chevalier’s collection, held in 2013. On that occasion, the piece featured emerald setting rather than the current diamond setting, most probably a modification motivated by aesthetic preferences. The current owner restored the diamond setting, bringing the watch back to its original splendor.
Such a set of unusual and appealing characteristics makes the present watch an incredibly collectible timepiece, a supremely remarkable horological discovery, and an extremely rare occasion for the refined collector of important and uncommon timepieces.
MAURICE CHEVALIER
Born on September 12, 1888 in Paris, Maurice Chevalier can be considered one of the prototypical cross-platform international superstars. He began his career as a singer, discovered while performing unpaid at a café in 1901, and by the end of the decade he had already achieved fame in his country. After being injured during WWI and held prisoner of war in a German camp for two years, he returned to the stage and in 1928 he made his Hollywood debut as protagonist in the film “Innocent in Paris”. His popularity was enormous at the time, so much that the Marx brothers in their movie “Monkey Business” play stowaways on a cruise ship both trying to pass for Maurice Chevailer thanks to fake passports. Many of his songs - such as "Valentine" and "Paris sera toujours Paris" - are still well-known nowadays and part of the French collective cultural heritage.
Mr. Chevalier would appear to have been very successful in his love life as well, and some of his romantic interests include Frehél – at the time the biggest female star in France – in 1909; and dancer Mistinguette – 16 years his senior. He was married twice, from 1927 to 1932 to dancer Yvonne Vallée, and from 1937 to 1946 to Nita Rayan, both of them dancers.
After WWII, American press considered him close to the German regime, mainly because he performed in a German prison camp (in exchange for the liberation of 10 French soldiers, and after pressures from the regime who knew he was hiding a Jewish family in the South of France). This sentiment abated only in the 50’s, and in 1955 he held his first American tour. In 1957, more than twenty years after his last American film, he appeared on screen again in “Love in the Afternoon”, next to Audrey Hepburn and Gary Cooper.
His last cinematographic work will be singing the title song of Disney’s movie “The Aristocats” in 1970.
He passed away on New Year’s Day 1972.