Important Modern and Vintage Timepieces

Hong Kong, Feb 26, 2012

LOT 450

PATEK PHILIPPE, REF. 1518, 1ST SERIES Patek Philippe & Cie, Genève, No. 863685, case No. 641831, Ref. 1518, 1st series. Made in 1946, sold on May 21, 1946. Extremely fine and rare, 18K yellow gold wristwatch with perpetual calendar, moon phases, square button chronograph, register, tachometer and an 18K yellow gold Patek Philippe buckle. Accompanied by a Patek Philippe box and Extract from the Archives.

HKD 1,900,000 - 2,500,000

USD 250,000 - 350,000 / EUR 200,000 - 350,000

C. Three-body, solid, polished and brushed, concave bezel and lugs. D. Matte silver with vertical applied yellow gold Arabic numerals, subsidiary seconds and 30-minute register dials, graduation for the days of the month, outer tachometer graduation, concentric, the 1/5th second scale, apertures for the days of the week, the months and the moon phases. Yellow gold feuille hands. M. Cal. 13''', rhodium-plated, fausses cotes decoration, 23 jewels, straight line lever escapement, cut bimetallic balance, 8 adjustments, Breguet balance spring, micrometer regulator. Dial, case and movement signed. Diam. 35 mm. Thickness 12 mm


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Grading System
Grade:
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 2*

Very good

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

Good

HANDS Original

Notes

Launched in 1941 as the world fi rst production perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch, the Patek Philippe Ref. 1518 can be considered one of the most important developments by the company and instrumental in setting them apart from contemporary rivals. Production continued with minor variants until 1952 with a total of only 281 examples manufactured. The lot offered, number 863.685, belongs to the fi rst series manufactured and can be identifi ed by small Arabic numerals and attractive large ?Patek Philippe & Co.? signature on the dial. From 1947 onwards, although the dial format remained consistent, the signature was altered to a smaller font ?Patek Philippe?. Offered in excellent original condition with little evidence of aging, this watch was previously offered for auction by Christie?s Geneva in 2004 and has subsequently remained unused in a private collection.