拍品專文
With Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch in 1954 and its subsequent sale on 23 June 1958. Furthermore delivered with copy of Patek Philippe servicing invoice and Patek Philippe contemporary red presentation box.
This watch is amongst the finest examples of the celebrated reference 2438/1 to appear at auction for some time but certainly the one with the most interesting history. Of totally private provenance, both owners since the watch's original sale in 1958 have always and exclusively chosen Patek Philippe's workshops in Geneva to overhaul this masterpiece. In fact, the current owner has just spent over CHF 5,000 to professionally clean and service this reference 2438/1. Much to any connoisseurs delight, the case was hardly ever touched and retains distinct proportions and well preserved details, most notably the lovely fluting to the lugs and the crisp hallmarks to the tip of the lower right lug and upper left band. The highly appealing original dial shows a great shine, the hard enamel signature and outer seconds scale are still beautifully raised.
Never offered before at auction, the present reference 2438/1 is a indeed a rare specimen of a niche reference.
The above elements combined with the very small number of watches produced of this reference render this watch an exceedingly rare opportunity for any demanding connoisseur collector.
Ref. 2438/1
In 1951, Patek Philippe launched reference 2497 (see lot 297 in this auction) and its water-resistant counterpart, reference 2438/1, the firm's only vintage perpetual calendar wristwatch made in series with a screw back. A combined total of only 179 examples of these two models were produced, the majority cased in yellow gold. Reference 2438/1 is generally divided into two different series:
- the first with applied Arabic numerals and dauphine hands
- the second series, such as the present watch, with applied baton numerals and dauphine hands
Reference 2438/1 is illustrated in Patek Philippe Wristwatches by Martin Huber & Alan Banbery, second edition, p. 284.
This watch is amongst the finest examples of the celebrated reference 2438/1 to appear at auction for some time but certainly the one with the most interesting history. Of totally private provenance, both owners since the watch's original sale in 1958 have always and exclusively chosen Patek Philippe's workshops in Geneva to overhaul this masterpiece. In fact, the current owner has just spent over CHF 5,000 to professionally clean and service this reference 2438/1. Much to any connoisseurs delight, the case was hardly ever touched and retains distinct proportions and well preserved details, most notably the lovely fluting to the lugs and the crisp hallmarks to the tip of the lower right lug and upper left band. The highly appealing original dial shows a great shine, the hard enamel signature and outer seconds scale are still beautifully raised.
Never offered before at auction, the present reference 2438/1 is a indeed a rare specimen of a niche reference.
The above elements combined with the very small number of watches produced of this reference render this watch an exceedingly rare opportunity for any demanding connoisseur collector.
Ref. 2438/1
In 1951, Patek Philippe launched reference 2497 (see lot 297 in this auction) and its water-resistant counterpart, reference 2438/1, the firm's only vintage perpetual calendar wristwatch made in series with a screw back. A combined total of only 179 examples of these two models were produced, the majority cased in yellow gold. Reference 2438/1 is generally divided into two different series:
- the first with applied Arabic numerals and dauphine hands
- the second series, such as the present watch, with applied baton numerals and dauphine hands
Reference 2438/1 is illustrated in Patek Philippe Wristwatches by Martin Huber & Alan Banbery, second edition, p. 284.