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Lot Essay
With Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch in 1948 and its subsequent sale on November 23rd of the same year.
To the best of our knowledge the present watch has never before been offered in public.
In 1941 Patek Philippe introduced the reference 1518 to the market. This now treasured and collectible timepiece was the first perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch to be manufactured in series by any firm in the world, and remained in production until 1954 when it was succeeded by the reference 2499. Only 281 examples of this renowned wristwatch were made in total, the majority of which were fashioned in yellow gold. There were four different series of the reference 1518, each of which was classified by defining characteristics on the dial. The first series was designed with applied gold Arabic numerals. When the second series was introduced at the Basel Fair, the dial had changed to feature enameled hour indexes and the 12 as an applied gold Arabic numeral. The third series again showcased the 12 as applied gold Arabic numeral, while the hour indexes were now in applied gold. Finally, the fourth series had only applied gold indexes, and is exemplified by the present lot.
To the best of our knowledge the present watch has never before been offered in public.
In 1941 Patek Philippe introduced the reference 1518 to the market. This now treasured and collectible timepiece was the first perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch to be manufactured in series by any firm in the world, and remained in production until 1954 when it was succeeded by the reference 2499. Only 281 examples of this renowned wristwatch were made in total, the majority of which were fashioned in yellow gold. There were four different series of the reference 1518, each of which was classified by defining characteristics on the dial. The first series was designed with applied gold Arabic numerals. When the second series was introduced at the Basel Fair, the dial had changed to feature enameled hour indexes and the 12 as an applied gold Arabic numeral. The third series again showcased the 12 as applied gold Arabic numeral, while the hour indexes were now in applied gold. Finally, the fourth series had only applied gold indexes, and is exemplified by the present lot.