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Lot Essay
Accompanied by Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch in 1959 and its subsequent sale on 21 March 1964.
This watch has never been offered at auction before and is only the second example of reference 2438/1 in pink gold featuring luminous hands and markers known to exist. It is furthermore thought to be the only sixth example of this reference in pink gold to appear in public to date.
Probably one of the most attractive examples of reference 2438/1 to appear at auction in decades, it combines a most sought-after and exceedingly rare pink gold case material with another highly particular feature, the luminous accents to the top of the baton numerals and luminous dauphine hands, most certainly added upon special request of the first owner who bought it at Patek Philippe's flagship store in Geneva in 1964. The watch remained in the original owner's family for nearly 4 decades and it was not until around 2002 when the son of the original gave it its third, the actual owner. It has always and exclusively been overhauled by Patek Philippe's workshops in Geneva; the case shows distinct proportions and well preserved details. The dial's hard enamel signature and scales are still beautifully raised.
The above elements combined with the very small number of watches produced of the model render this watch an exceedingly rare opportunity for any demanding connoisseur collector.
Ref. 2438/1
In 1951, Patek Philippe launched reference 2497 and its water-resistant counterpart, reference 2438/1. A combined total of only 179 examples of these two models were produced, the majority cased in yellow gold. Reference 2438/1 is generally divided into two different series:
- the first with applied Arabic numerals and dauphine hands
- the second series, such as the present watch, with applied baton numerals and dauphine hands
Reference 2438/1 is illustrated in Patek Philippe Wristwatches by Martin Huber & Alan Banbery, second edition, p. 284.
This watch has never been offered at auction before and is only the second example of reference 2438/1 in pink gold featuring luminous hands and markers known to exist. It is furthermore thought to be the only sixth example of this reference in pink gold to appear in public to date.
Probably one of the most attractive examples of reference 2438/1 to appear at auction in decades, it combines a most sought-after and exceedingly rare pink gold case material with another highly particular feature, the luminous accents to the top of the baton numerals and luminous dauphine hands, most certainly added upon special request of the first owner who bought it at Patek Philippe's flagship store in Geneva in 1964. The watch remained in the original owner's family for nearly 4 decades and it was not until around 2002 when the son of the original gave it its third, the actual owner. It has always and exclusively been overhauled by Patek Philippe's workshops in Geneva; the case shows distinct proportions and well preserved details. The dial's hard enamel signature and scales are still beautifully raised.
The above elements combined with the very small number of watches produced of the model render this watch an exceedingly rare opportunity for any demanding connoisseur collector.
Ref. 2438/1
In 1951, Patek Philippe launched reference 2497 and its water-resistant counterpart, reference 2438/1. A combined total of only 179 examples of these two models were produced, the majority cased in yellow gold. Reference 2438/1 is generally divided into two different series:
- the first with applied Arabic numerals and dauphine hands
- the second series, such as the present watch, with applied baton numerals and dauphine hands
Reference 2438/1 is illustrated in Patek Philippe Wristwatches by Martin Huber & Alan Banbery, second edition, p. 284.