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Lot Essay
Also known as a 'Ram's Head' or 'Ricciolino', the present timepiece is one of Patek Philippe's rarest rectangular models ever made. Made in the early 1950s and available only in yellow or pink gold, reference 2471 is instantly identifiable thanks to its unique triple scrolled lugs. It is estimated that only five to six dozen pieces were produced in total, of which about forty were made of yellow gold and about twenty were made of pink gold, such as the present timepiece. A few of the watches from this reference were further set apart by decorated enamel dials that featured a portrait or sports scenes.
The defining character of the model lies in its highly distinctive dial design, featuring square hour markers with a trapezoidal geometry that subtly points toward the center of the dial, creating a striking visual depth. The case was manufactured by Markowski, a master case maker known for his skill with shaped timepieces who went on to create many of the renowned Gilbert Albert designs for Patek Philippe.
A truly valuable addition to any sophisticated collection, the present timepiece is further enhanced by its provenance, as it was sold by Serpico y Laino, the renowned Caracas agent of Patek Philippe. The exterior of the caseback is stamped with the familiar 'S&L' and '18K' hallmarks, as is customary for watches sold by the retailer. The original buckle that comes with the watch is also stamped, highlighting the remarkable originality and desirability of this rare example.
Serpico y Laino
Serpico y Laino was founded in the late 1920s by two Italian immigrants, Leopoldo Serpico and Vicente Laino, a young goldsmith. After meeting with Hans Wilsdorf in Geneva in the early 1930s, the company, which had previously concentrated on jewelry, quickly expanded into watches and eventually became the only authorized distributor of Rolex in Venezuela. Soon after, the business also obtained the status of sole authorized distributor of Patek Philippe. Serpico y Laino closed its doors in 1966 after forty years of successful operations and a reputation as the top watch retailer in Caracas.
The defining character of the model lies in its highly distinctive dial design, featuring square hour markers with a trapezoidal geometry that subtly points toward the center of the dial, creating a striking visual depth. The case was manufactured by Markowski, a master case maker known for his skill with shaped timepieces who went on to create many of the renowned Gilbert Albert designs for Patek Philippe.
A truly valuable addition to any sophisticated collection, the present timepiece is further enhanced by its provenance, as it was sold by Serpico y Laino, the renowned Caracas agent of Patek Philippe. The exterior of the caseback is stamped with the familiar 'S&L' and '18K' hallmarks, as is customary for watches sold by the retailer. The original buckle that comes with the watch is also stamped, highlighting the remarkable originality and desirability of this rare example.
Serpico y Laino
Serpico y Laino was founded in the late 1920s by two Italian immigrants, Leopoldo Serpico and Vicente Laino, a young goldsmith. After meeting with Hans Wilsdorf in Geneva in the early 1930s, the company, which had previously concentrated on jewelry, quickly expanded into watches and eventually became the only authorized distributor of Rolex in Venezuela. Soon after, the business also obtained the status of sole authorized distributor of Patek Philippe. Serpico y Laino closed its doors in 1966 after forty years of successful operations and a reputation as the top watch retailer in Caracas.