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Lot Essay
THE REFERENCE 2499 IN TRANSITION
Accompanied by the original Patek Philippe box, certificate and an Extract from the Archives confirming the date of manufacture as 1966 and its subsequent sale on June 24th of the same year.
Many would argue that today and throughout its entire history, Patek stands as one of of the most innovative, technically superior and revered watch manufacturers. In 1941 the firm introduced the first perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch to be produced in series by any company, the legendary reference 1518. Later, in 1951, Patek Philippe introduced the reference 2499. This model remained in production until 1985 with a total of only 349 examples made over four series. The 2499 is differentiated from its predecessor with a wider diameter and fluted lugs, while still incorporating the astronomical combination of complications: perpetual calendar, chronograph and moon phases.
Throughout this reference's history the features of the dial and case underwent four transformations. The first series featured a tachometer dial with applied Arabic numerals and square chronograph buttons. The second series also featured a tachometer scale with applied baton or Arabic numerals but with round buttons. The third series, made between 1960 and 1978, retained the round buttons but the dial is generally known to scholars with applied baton numerals and without tachometer. The fourth manifestation was nearly identical to the third except for the addition of a sapphire crystal.
The Turner Reference 2499, made in 1966 and therefore technically of the third series of production, possesses an extremely uncommon feature - a dial with all applied Arabic numerals and without tachometer. This timepiece represents a transitional example, bridging two different series of the 2499, wherein the Arabic numerals of the second series combine with the fine simplicity of the third series' dial without tachometer. According to our research, the present watch is one of only two examples known to the market of a third series 2499 with this dial configuration; the other having been sold on November 15th of 1999 at Christie's Geneva.
The dial of this watch is a testament to the adaptable and mutable nature of Patek Philippe's production. It elegantly displays how Patek Philippe maintained their status in the realms of technological advancements and also in the fluidity of their design.
The appearance of this extraordinarily rare wristwatch at auction sits prominently within the history of the prized reference 2499. This model, that has come to symbolize the excellence of the manufacture of Patek Philippe and its value to connoisseurs and collectors, always induces excitement, especially when an unusual and rare version appears. Watch devotees feel the importance and buzz when we see at auction such examples as a pink gold version (Christie's New York, Important Pocket Watches and Wristwatches, October 20, 2005), representing one of approximately only three or four pieces made, or a watch with another unusual dial configuration with luminous hands (Christie's Geneva, Important Pocketwatches and Wristwatches, May 16, 2005).
This exquisite timepiece, with its exceedingly rare dial, freshness to the market, unbroken provenance and the original box and papers, provides collectors and enthusiasts alike with a historical and virtually unique example of Patek Philippe's groundbreaking complicated wristwatch production.
For examples of the reference 2499, see Huber & Banbery, Patek Philippe Wristwatches, Volume 2, Second Edition, Paul Picot. 302 and 304.
Accompanied by the original Patek Philippe box, certificate and an Extract from the Archives confirming the date of manufacture as 1966 and its subsequent sale on June 24th of the same year.
Many would argue that today and throughout its entire history, Patek stands as one of of the most innovative, technically superior and revered watch manufacturers. In 1941 the firm introduced the first perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch to be produced in series by any company, the legendary reference 1518. Later, in 1951, Patek Philippe introduced the reference 2499. This model remained in production until 1985 with a total of only 349 examples made over four series. The 2499 is differentiated from its predecessor with a wider diameter and fluted lugs, while still incorporating the astronomical combination of complications: perpetual calendar, chronograph and moon phases.
Throughout this reference's history the features of the dial and case underwent four transformations. The first series featured a tachometer dial with applied Arabic numerals and square chronograph buttons. The second series also featured a tachometer scale with applied baton or Arabic numerals but with round buttons. The third series, made between 1960 and 1978, retained the round buttons but the dial is generally known to scholars with applied baton numerals and without tachometer. The fourth manifestation was nearly identical to the third except for the addition of a sapphire crystal.
The Turner Reference 2499, made in 1966 and therefore technically of the third series of production, possesses an extremely uncommon feature - a dial with all applied Arabic numerals and without tachometer. This timepiece represents a transitional example, bridging two different series of the 2499, wherein the Arabic numerals of the second series combine with the fine simplicity of the third series' dial without tachometer. According to our research, the present watch is one of only two examples known to the market of a third series 2499 with this dial configuration; the other having been sold on November 15th of 1999 at Christie's Geneva.
The dial of this watch is a testament to the adaptable and mutable nature of Patek Philippe's production. It elegantly displays how Patek Philippe maintained their status in the realms of technological advancements and also in the fluidity of their design.
The appearance of this extraordinarily rare wristwatch at auction sits prominently within the history of the prized reference 2499. This model, that has come to symbolize the excellence of the manufacture of Patek Philippe and its value to connoisseurs and collectors, always induces excitement, especially when an unusual and rare version appears. Watch devotees feel the importance and buzz when we see at auction such examples as a pink gold version (Christie's New York, Important Pocket Watches and Wristwatches, October 20, 2005), representing one of approximately only three or four pieces made, or a watch with another unusual dial configuration with luminous hands (Christie's Geneva, Important Pocketwatches and Wristwatches, May 16, 2005).
This exquisite timepiece, with its exceedingly rare dial, freshness to the market, unbroken provenance and the original box and papers, provides collectors and enthusiasts alike with a historical and virtually unique example of Patek Philippe's groundbreaking complicated wristwatch production.
For examples of the reference 2499, see Huber & Banbery, Patek Philippe Wristwatches, Volume 2, Second Edition, Paul Picot. 302 and 304.