Important Collectors’ Wristwatches, P...

Geneva, Hotel Du Rhone, Apr 02, 2006

LOT 459

Ref. 2497 ?First Series? Patek Philippe & Cie, Genève, No. 888085, case No. 683855, Ref. 2497, first series. Made in 1958 and sold in England. Very fine and rare, center-seconds, astronomic, center-seconds, 18K yellow gold gentleman's wristwatch with perpetual calendar and moon phases, and 18K yellow gold Patek Philippe buckle.

CHF 100,000 - 150,000

108 65,000 - 100,000

Sold: CHF 181,250

C. Three-body, massive, polished, concave bezel. D. Matte silver with applied yellow gold dot and Arabic indexes, auxiliary dials for the days of the month, apertures for the days of the week, the months and the moon phases. Yellow gold "Feuille" hands. M. Cal. 27-SC Q, stamped twice with the Seal of Geneva Quality Mark, rhodium plated, "fausses-côtes" decoration, 18 jewels, straight line lever escapement, cut bimetallic balance adjusted to heat, cold isochronism and 5 positions, shock-absorber, selfcompensating Breguet balance spring, swan-neck micrometer regulator. Dial and movement signed. Diam. 37 mm. Thickness 13 mm. To be sold without reserve


LOADING IMAGES
Click to full view
Image
Grading System
Grade:
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 3*

Good

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

Good

HANDS Original

Notes

This watch was recently overhauled by Patek Philippe. This watch was imported into England in 1959. The case has London import marks for that year; the Swiss marks have been erased but the production number retained. The Swiss marks are still present on the sides of two of the lugs. This situation is similar to that of Rolex watches imported into the UK, where the cases bear only the English import marks and no Swiss marks, though of course the watches were completely Swiss-made. Patek Philippe

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 "feuille" hands. Diam. 37 mm.
- Second series: alternating upright applied gold Arabic numerals and dot indexes, center-seconds and "dauphine" hands. Diam. 37 mm.
- Third series: with applied gold bâton 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 "bâton" indexes, "dauphine" hands, fluted lugs, screwed back.