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Lot Essay
Accompanied by Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch in 1960 and its subsequent sale on 3 March 1961.
Reference 2499, widely acknowledged to be one of the world's greatest watch models ever created, was introduced to the market in 1950. It replaced the legendary reference 1518, the world's first perpetual calendar wristwatch with chronograph made in series.
Over a period of 35 years, reference 2499 was made in four series in a total production of only 349 pieces. The rarity of this model becomes evident when considering that an annual average of only 9 watches left Patek Philippe's workbench.
Patek Philippe produced a total of 349 examples of reference 2499, beginning in 1951 and continuing into the 1980s, the majority cased in yellow gold. The model is generally divided into the following four series:
- first series: square chronograph buttons, applied Arabic numerals and tachymetre scale
- second series, such as the present watch: round chronograph buttons, either applied baton or applied Arabic numerals and tachymetre scale
- third series: round chronograph buttons, applied baton numerals and outer seconds divisions
- fourth series: round chronograph buttons, applied baton numerals, outer seconds divisions and sapphire crystal (reference 2499/100)
The model is illustrated in Patek Philippe Wristwatches by Martin Huber & Alan Banbery, second edition, pp. 302 & 304.
The present watch is doubtlessly one of the most charismatic and rich versions of reference 2499. Fitted with the tachometer scale reserved for the first and second series only, it features the applied gold Arabic numerals - a reminiscence of the 1518 and first series reference 2499. According to research, just over a dozen such second series references 2499 with Arabic numerals are known to have survived our days.
Reference 2499, widely acknowledged to be one of the world's greatest watch models ever created, was introduced to the market in 1950. It replaced the legendary reference 1518, the world's first perpetual calendar wristwatch with chronograph made in series.
Over a period of 35 years, reference 2499 was made in four series in a total production of only 349 pieces. The rarity of this model becomes evident when considering that an annual average of only 9 watches left Patek Philippe's workbench.
Patek Philippe produced a total of 349 examples of reference 2499, beginning in 1951 and continuing into the 1980s, the majority cased in yellow gold. The model is generally divided into the following four series:
- first series: square chronograph buttons, applied Arabic numerals and tachymetre scale
- second series, such as the present watch: round chronograph buttons, either applied baton or applied Arabic numerals and tachymetre scale
- third series: round chronograph buttons, applied baton numerals and outer seconds divisions
- fourth series: round chronograph buttons, applied baton numerals, outer seconds divisions and sapphire crystal (reference 2499/100)
The model is illustrated in Patek Philippe Wristwatches by Martin Huber & Alan Banbery, second edition, pp. 302 & 304.
The present watch is doubtlessly one of the most charismatic and rich versions of reference 2499. Fitted with the tachometer scale reserved for the first and second series only, it features the applied gold Arabic numerals - a reminiscence of the 1518 and first series reference 2499. According to research, just over a dozen such second series references 2499 with Arabic numerals are known to have survived our days.