Important Collector's Wristwatches, P...

New York, Sep 17, 2009

LOT 129

Ref. 2438-1 Patek Philippe & Cie, Genève, No. 888135, case No. 2602735, Ref. 2438-1. Made in 1956, sold on October 6, 1958. Extremely fine and rare, astronomic, center-seconds, water-resistant, 18K yellow gold wristwatch with perpetual calendar, moon phases and an 18K yellow gold Patek Philippe buckle. Accompanied by the Extract from the Archives.

USD 300,000 - 400,000

EUR 210,000 - 280,000 / CHF 325,000 - 430,000

C. Two-body, solid, polished, screwed-down case back with dedication, concave bezel, fluted lugs. D. Matte silver with applied yellow gold baton indexes, outer minute/ seconds graduation, subsidiary dial for the date, and apertures for the days of the week, the months and the moon phases. Yellow gold dauphine hands. M. 27-SC Q, stamped with the Geneva Quality mark, rhodium-plated, fausses cotes decoration, 18 jewels, lever escapement, monometallic balance adjusted to heat, cold, isochronism and five positions, shock-absorber, Breguet balance spring, micrometer regulator. Dial, case and movement signed. Diam. 37 mm. Thickness 13,5 mm.


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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

Ref. 2497 & 2438-1 Total number produced: 179 examples. Ref. 2497 Production of this reference began in 1951. It was produced in quantities not precisely known today. The standard production was yellow gold; very few examples are known in pink gold; two examples are known in white gold; and two in platinum.
- First series: with alternating upright applied gold Arabic numerals and dot indexes, center-seconds and feuillehands. Diam. 37 mm.
- Second series: alternating upright applied gold Arabic numerals and dot indexes, center-seconds and dauphinehands. Diam. 37 mm.
- Third series: with applied gold baton indexes, flat back, recessed winding crown and dauphine hands. Diam. 37 mm.
Ref 2438-1 Was the successor to Ref. 2497, with the same type of case, but water-resistant.
- First series: in yellow gold with applied Arabic numerals, dauphine hands, fluted lugs, screwed back. - Second series: with applied baton indexes, dauphine hands, fluted lugs, screwed back.
Similar watches are published in "Patek Philippe Wristwatches", by Martin Huber and Alan Banbery, 1998, p. 285-287.