Important Modern and Vintage Timepieces.

Geneva, Nov 13, 2010

LOT 643

Patek Philippe Ref. 2499 ? Pink Gold Patek Philippe, Genève, movement No. 869441, case No. 2637716, Ref. 2499, third series. Made in 1971, sold on June 14th 1972. Exceptional and extremely rare, 18K pink gold wristwatch with round button chronograph, 30-minute register, perpetual calendar, moon phases and an 18K pink gold Patek Philippe buckle. Accompanied by a Patek Philippe box and the Extract from the Archives.

CHF 800,000 - 1,200,000

USD 800,000 - 1,200,000 / EUR 600,000 - 900,000

Sold: CHF 1,082,500

C. Three-body, solid, polished and brushed, concave bezel, fluted lugs, large recessed winding crown, domed crystal. D. Matte silver with applied pink gold faceted baton and pyramidal indexes, outer 1/5th seconds track with 5-minute/second Arabic numerals, subsidiary dials for the seconds and the 30-minute register, graduation for the date at 6, apertures for the days of the week, the months and the moon phases. Pink gold dauphine hands. M. Cal. 13-130, stamped twice with the Seal of Geneva quality mark, rhodiumplated, fausses cotes decoration, 23 jewels, straight-line lever escapement, monometallic balance with 8 adjustments, self-compensating Breguet balance spring, spring-loaded micrometric regulator. Dial, case and movement signed. Diam. 38 mm. Thickness 14 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

There has been only one other known example with the present dial configuration which features gold applied hour markers that differ from any other markers on a Patek Philippe ref. 2499 - the pyramidal indices at 3, 5, 7 and 9 o'clock are larger in size, but more importantly, all the baton markers are of two facets (rather than the usual four-facet), which is extremely rare.
The present watch is extremely well preserved and is undisputedly one of the best reference 2499 examples to ever appear in public. The watch has never been buffed or polished, evident from the fullness, superb definition and proportion of the case, with a crisp hallmark and lugs that are incredibly sharp. Further, the unusual dial is absolutely flawless with no service marks, the hard enamel signature and divisions are well pronounced, in all suggesting the dial has never been restored or cosmetically enhanced.
The reference 2499 is acknowledged to be one of the most coveted and expensive wristwatches of all time. It is also crowned as one of the world's greatest models ever created. Produced in four series between 1950 and 1985, a mere 349 pieces were made in all, with no more than 45 examples in pink gold, of which less than 10 pieces belong to the third series. The present watch is only the fifth known third series in pink gold.