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Lot Essay
Fresh to market and presented in celebration of America’s 250th anniversary, Christie’s is honored to offer one of the most collectible Patek Philippe Calatravas ever produced: a timepiece created especially for U.S. President Lyndon Baines Johnson by Tiffany & Co., New York. This exceptional watch is accompanied by its original and exceedingly rare sporty-chic 18k gold C+B Tiffany & Co. bracelet, its Tiffany & Co. presentation box, and is further confirmed by a newly issued Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives.
Notably, the present watch is an extremely early example of the reference 2526. Its movement, numbered 760’012, makes it the 13th caliber 12-600 AT ever manufactured by the Maison—the caliber 12-600 AT being Patek Philippe’s first automatic movement, with the inaugural example (numbered 760’000) made especially for J.B. Champion.
The ‘Duo’ Golden Rule Calatravas: References 2526 and 2552
For many years, the origins of the Patek Philippe Calatrava references 2526 and 2552 bearing the inscription “Do Unto Others As You Would Have Them Do Unto You” (the so-called “Duo” or "Golden Rule" dial) puzzled collectors. Through extensive scholarship, it has since been established that these “Golden Rule” wristwatches were commissioned by then-Senator Lyndon Baines Johnson as prestigious gifts, ordered through Tiffany & Co. in the 1950s.
At least two examples are known to have been presented to prominent figures, including Senator George Smathers in 1956 and Senator Robert Kerr, while others were gifted to elected officials and key campaign supporters. Two such watches are preserved in the LBJ Presidential Library, including President Johnson’s personal example, and to the best of our knowledge, only 15 examples have resurfaced publicly, two of which are offered in this present sale.
Given their considerable cost at the time, these watches were undoubtedly intended for individuals of great importance. Historically, auction houses referred to these special dial watches as “Masonic” Patek Philippes—an attribution that may hold some relevance, as Lyndon Baines Johnson was initiated as a Freemason in 1937, though he is not known to have remained active thereafter.
Well known among discerning collectors, Tiffany & Co. in New York customized the original dials on special order for Senator Johnson. The present watch is the earliest known reference 2526 featuring a “Duo” dial, with the Extract from the Archives confirming its manufacture in 1952 and its subsequent sale on July 9, 1953. The metal dial omits the “Patek Philippe” signature and is signed solely “Tiffany & Co.” at the center—rather than along the upper periphery as seen on many other known examples, including President Johnson’s own watch. To the best of our knowledge, only three other “Duo” wristwatches are known with a similarly centered "Tiffany & Co." signature, in which another is offered in this present sale.
The movement is stamped “HOX,” indicating importation into the United States, consistent with other known reference 2526 and 2552s. Like many of President Johnson’s commissioned examples, the present watch is enhanced by its sporty-chic and highly rare 18k gold C+B Tiffany & Co. bracelet. To the best of our knowledge, it is the only known 2526 fitted with this bracelet style—an attribute that further elevates the desirability and ultimate collectability of this extraordinary Patek Philippe Calatrava. Incredibly, an additional fresh to market reference 2552 with the same bracelet and dial style is offered in the present sale.
Notably, the present watch is an extremely early example of the reference 2526. Its movement, numbered 760’012, makes it the 13th caliber 12-600 AT ever manufactured by the Maison—the caliber 12-600 AT being Patek Philippe’s first automatic movement, with the inaugural example (numbered 760’000) made especially for J.B. Champion.
The ‘Duo’ Golden Rule Calatravas: References 2526 and 2552
For many years, the origins of the Patek Philippe Calatrava references 2526 and 2552 bearing the inscription “Do Unto Others As You Would Have Them Do Unto You” (the so-called “Duo” or "Golden Rule" dial) puzzled collectors. Through extensive scholarship, it has since been established that these “Golden Rule” wristwatches were commissioned by then-Senator Lyndon Baines Johnson as prestigious gifts, ordered through Tiffany & Co. in the 1950s.
At least two examples are known to have been presented to prominent figures, including Senator George Smathers in 1956 and Senator Robert Kerr, while others were gifted to elected officials and key campaign supporters. Two such watches are preserved in the LBJ Presidential Library, including President Johnson’s personal example, and to the best of our knowledge, only 15 examples have resurfaced publicly, two of which are offered in this present sale.
Given their considerable cost at the time, these watches were undoubtedly intended for individuals of great importance. Historically, auction houses referred to these special dial watches as “Masonic” Patek Philippes—an attribution that may hold some relevance, as Lyndon Baines Johnson was initiated as a Freemason in 1937, though he is not known to have remained active thereafter.
Well known among discerning collectors, Tiffany & Co. in New York customized the original dials on special order for Senator Johnson. The present watch is the earliest known reference 2526 featuring a “Duo” dial, with the Extract from the Archives confirming its manufacture in 1952 and its subsequent sale on July 9, 1953. The metal dial omits the “Patek Philippe” signature and is signed solely “Tiffany & Co.” at the center—rather than along the upper periphery as seen on many other known examples, including President Johnson’s own watch. To the best of our knowledge, only three other “Duo” wristwatches are known with a similarly centered "Tiffany & Co." signature, in which another is offered in this present sale.
The movement is stamped “HOX,” indicating importation into the United States, consistent with other known reference 2526 and 2552s. Like many of President Johnson’s commissioned examples, the present watch is enhanced by its sporty-chic and highly rare 18k gold C+B Tiffany & Co. bracelet. To the best of our knowledge, it is the only known 2526 fitted with this bracelet style—an attribute that further elevates the desirability and ultimate collectability of this extraordinary Patek Philippe Calatrava. Incredibly, an additional fresh to market reference 2552 with the same bracelet and dial style is offered in the present sale.