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Lot Essay
Since its launch in 1941, the reference 1518 has always been one of the most desired of all Patek Philippe’s complicated wristwatches. The 1518 and its companion reference 1526 were the first ever perpetual calendar wristwatches to be made in series by any manufacturer. The present specimen is a very rare example of the first series of reference 1518 watches. It is distinguished by its early and very seldom seen ‘Mark 1’ dial: this much sought after version in use only until 1945 features the long signature ‘Patek Philippe & Co.’ and distinctive larger fonts for the day and month indications. The tachymeter scale is furthermore not framed by two thin lines as found in the later series and the word ‘Base’ is situated to the right of the 12 numeral.
Early examples of reference 1518 such as the present watch also have a different case construction: the chronograph pushers are positioned centrally in the band and the corrector is close to the upper edge of the band. In later examples the pushers and corrector are located much further down in the case band.
Demand has always outstripped supply of the reference 1518, any examples supplied to lucky official Patek Philippe agents tended to only be offered to their most important and exacting clients. According to research, only 281 examples were made until 1954, the majority cased in yellow gold. The model was later replaced by the equally legendary reference 2499, also a perpetual calendar chronograph, but with a wider diameter and fluted lugs.
Reference 1518 is illustrated in: Patek Philippe Wristwatches by Martin Huber & Alan Banbery, first edition p. 231 pl. 386, second edition p. 303 pl. 459
Also illustrated in: the Blue Book 3, by Eric Tortella, 2019 edition
Early examples of reference 1518 such as the present watch also have a different case construction: the chronograph pushers are positioned centrally in the band and the corrector is close to the upper edge of the band. In later examples the pushers and corrector are located much further down in the case band.
Demand has always outstripped supply of the reference 1518, any examples supplied to lucky official Patek Philippe agents tended to only be offered to their most important and exacting clients. According to research, only 281 examples were made until 1954, the majority cased in yellow gold. The model was later replaced by the equally legendary reference 2499, also a perpetual calendar chronograph, but with a wider diameter and fluted lugs.
Reference 1518 is illustrated in: Patek Philippe Wristwatches by Martin Huber & Alan Banbery, first edition p. 231 pl. 386, second edition p. 303 pl. 459
Also illustrated in: the Blue Book 3, by Eric Tortella, 2019 edition