Important Modern and Vintage Timepieces

New York, Apr 10, 2013

LOT 99

PATEK PHILIPPE REF. 1518 PERPETUAL CALENDAR CHRONOGRAPH PINK GOLD Patek Philippe, Genève, No. 868088, case No. 668397, Ref. 1518. Made in 1951, sold November 3rd, 1953. Very fine and very rare, 18K pink gold wristwatch with perpetual calendar, moon phases, square button chronograph, register, tachometer and an 18K pink gold Patek Philippe link bracelet. Accompanied by the Extract from the Archives.

USD 400,000 - 600,000

HKD 3,100,000 - 4,650,000 / CHF 380,000 - 570,000

Sold: USD 794,500

C. Three-body, solid, polished and brushed, concave bezel and lugs, snap-on case back, 8 mm winding crown. D. Satine silver with applied pink gold Arabic numerals and round indexes, 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. Pink gold feuille hands. M. 13???, rhodium-plated, fausses cotes decoration, 23 jewels, straight-line lever escapement, cut bimetallic compensation balance with 8 adjustments, blued steel Breguet balance spring, swan-neck micrometer regulator. Dial, case and movement signed. DIAM. 35 mm. THICKNESS 14 mm. Approx. overall length 180 mm. Property from an American Collection


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Grading System
Grade:
Case: 2

Very good
Movement: 2*

Very good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 2-01

Very good

HANDS Original

Notes

Patek Philippe reference 1518 was the world?s first perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch produced in a series by any manufacturer. Of the 281 examples of reference 1518 crafted during production of the model from 1941 through 1952, only a handful of examples were produced in pink/rose gold and sold with a detachable Patek Philippe bracelet. The present lot, movement number 868088, was manufactured in 1951 and sold on November 3rd, 1953 with the rose gold bracelet as confirmed on the Extract from the Archives. This particular watch last appeared at at auction over 15 years ago on October 18th, 1997 at Antiquorum Geneva. In addition to being amongst the rarest and most sought after variations of reference 1518 to come to market, the present lot is further distinguished by its phenomenally well-preserved condition. Collectors and enthusiasts will note the crisp edges of the case lines and hallmarks as well as the pristine hard enamel and even patina on the dial.