Important Collectors' Wristwatches, P...

New York, Jun 10, 2010

LOT 362

Patek Philippe Ref. 1518 - Perpetual Calendar - Chronograph Patek Philippe, Genève, No. 863666, case No. 637185, Ref. 1518. Made in 1946, sold January 10th, 1947. Very fine and very rare, astronomic, 18K yellow gold wristwatch with perpetual calendar, moon phases, square button chronograph, register, tachometer and an 18K yellow gold Patek Philippe buckle. Accompanied by the Extract from the Archives.

USD 150,000 - 200,000

EUR 120,000 - 155,000 / CHF 170,000 - 225,000

Sold: USD 282,000

C. Three-body, solid, polished and brushed, concave bezel and lugs, snap-on case back. D. Satine silver with applied yellow gold Arabic numerals, subsidiary seconds and 30-minute register dials, graduation for the days of the month at 6, outer 1/5th seconds track and tachometer graduation, apertures for the days of the week, the months and the moon phases. Yellow gold feuille hands. M. 13''', rhodium-plated, fausses cotes decoration, 23 jewels, straight line lever escapement, monometallic balance, 8 adjustments, self-compensating blued steel Breguet balance-spring, micrometer regulator. Dial, case and movement signed. Diam. 35 mm. Thickness 13 mm.


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Grading System
Grade:
Case: 3 -9

Scratched
Movement: 3-6*

Good

Slightly oxidized

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 3-6-01

Good

Slightly oxidized

HANDS Original

Notes

Discovered in a drawer after having remained unused for almost 40 years, this watch offers a truly rare opportunity to purchase a beautiful, original condition 1518 that has never before been offered to the public. This watch has remained in the possession of the original owner's family and considered of no significant worth until recently, when it was discovered by a friend and watch enthusiast, who notified the owners of its potential value. The case therefore benefits from little use and retains thick shoulders and strong hallmarks. In our opinion, the case has been polished conservatively - perhaps only once or twice - and while it would benefit from an overhaul, it is here presented in original condition without any previous restoration.
Ref. 1518. Produced in 281 examples from 1941 to 1954, in yellow and pink gold, only four examples known to date in stainless steel. - First series: with applied gold Arabic numerals from 1941 to 1954. - Second series: presented at the Basel Fair in 1942 with enameled hour indexes, the 12 in applied gold Arabic numerals. - Third series: with applied gold indexes, the 12 in applied gold Arabic numerals. - Fourth series: with applied gold baton indexes.
Similar watches are published in "Patek Philippe Wristwatches", by Martin Huber and Alan Banbery, 1998, p. 303.