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Lot Essay
Purchased in 1948, the present reference 1518 combines exceptional provenance and the historical importance of one of Patek Philippe's greatest complicated wristwatches. Evidently regularly maintained and preserved in superb overall condition, it represents a true trophy for the discerning Patek Philippe collector.
The case retains a crisp gold hallmark to the back of the lug and displays only the expected signs of honest use. As is correct, the last three digits of the case number are scratched beneath the bezel. The dial displays the appropriate technical characteristics for a watch of 1948 and is particularly distinguished by its tachymeter scale calibrated in miles, rather than the more commonly encountered metric scale. Preserved in very good condition, it retains important details sought by connoisseurs, including the delicate accent above Genève, a feature frequently lost through cosmetic intervention on watches of this age. A subtle patina has furthermore developed on the applied gold numerals, adding considerable warmth and vintage character.
Patek Philippe regards watches such as reference 1518 as true custodians of its heritage. Indeed, the fundamental architecture established by the model, particularly its beautifully balanced dial arrangement, has continued to influence the manufacture's perpetual calendar chronographs for more than eight decades, evolving subtly while remaining unmistakably connected to the original design introduced in 1941.
Reference 1518
Introduced in 1941, reference 1518 holds an extraordinary place in horological history as the world's first serially produced perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch. Together with its companion reference 1526, it also established Patek Philippe as the first manufacture to produce perpetual calendar wristwatches in series. From its introduction, the 1518 became one of the manufacture's most prestigious and desirable complicated wristwatches.
At its heart is the celebrated calibre 13''' Q (13-130 Q), based on a Valjoux ébauche extensively modified and finished by Patek Philippe, with the perpetual calendar mechanism adapted by the workshops of Victorin Piguet. This movement architecture would form the mechanical foundation of Patek Philippe's perpetual calendar chronographs, including its successor reference 2499, for decades.
The gold cases of reference 1518 were manufactured by Emile Vichet and evolved subtly throughout production. Earlier examples featured flatter cases with chronograph pushers positioned around the middle of the caseband, while later watches received more downward-curving lugs and lower-set pushers. From around 1949, larger crowns were also introduced.
Demand for reference 1518 consistently exceeded its extremely limited production, with examples generally reserved by Patek Philippe retailers for their most important clients. According to research, only 281 examples were produced between 1941 and 1954, the great majority in yellow gold. It was subsequently succeeded by the equally legendary reference 2499, which retained the perpetual calendar chronograph architecture while introducing a larger case and distinctive fluted lugs.
The case retains a crisp gold hallmark to the back of the lug and displays only the expected signs of honest use. As is correct, the last three digits of the case number are scratched beneath the bezel. The dial displays the appropriate technical characteristics for a watch of 1948 and is particularly distinguished by its tachymeter scale calibrated in miles, rather than the more commonly encountered metric scale. Preserved in very good condition, it retains important details sought by connoisseurs, including the delicate accent above Genève, a feature frequently lost through cosmetic intervention on watches of this age. A subtle patina has furthermore developed on the applied gold numerals, adding considerable warmth and vintage character.
Patek Philippe regards watches such as reference 1518 as true custodians of its heritage. Indeed, the fundamental architecture established by the model, particularly its beautifully balanced dial arrangement, has continued to influence the manufacture's perpetual calendar chronographs for more than eight decades, evolving subtly while remaining unmistakably connected to the original design introduced in 1941.
Reference 1518
Introduced in 1941, reference 1518 holds an extraordinary place in horological history as the world's first serially produced perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch. Together with its companion reference 1526, it also established Patek Philippe as the first manufacture to produce perpetual calendar wristwatches in series. From its introduction, the 1518 became one of the manufacture's most prestigious and desirable complicated wristwatches.
At its heart is the celebrated calibre 13''' Q (13-130 Q), based on a Valjoux ébauche extensively modified and finished by Patek Philippe, with the perpetual calendar mechanism adapted by the workshops of Victorin Piguet. This movement architecture would form the mechanical foundation of Patek Philippe's perpetual calendar chronographs, including its successor reference 2499, for decades.
The gold cases of reference 1518 were manufactured by Emile Vichet and evolved subtly throughout production. Earlier examples featured flatter cases with chronograph pushers positioned around the middle of the caseband, while later watches received more downward-curving lugs and lower-set pushers. From around 1949, larger crowns were also introduced.
Demand for reference 1518 consistently exceeded its extremely limited production, with examples generally reserved by Patek Philippe retailers for their most important clients. According to research, only 281 examples were produced between 1941 and 1954, the great majority in yellow gold. It was subsequently succeeded by the equally legendary reference 2499, which retained the perpetual calendar chronograph architecture while introducing a larger case and distinctive fluted lugs.