Lot Essay
With Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch with raised hour markers in gold in 1953 and its subsequent sale on 17 February 1973.
This watch, a most intriguing variant of a reference 2497, is believed to be the only example of this celebrated model fitted with such a dial design known to exist to date, omitting the outer scale with Arabic fifths of a second graduation commonly found on this reference.
Originally entered into Patek Philippe's books in 1953, the year when the movement and case were made, the present reference 2497 remained unsold for another two decades. Whereas it is not known why this watch did not find a buyer until 1973, one can safely assume that when purchased by the actual owner in the Salon Patek Philippe in Geneva that Patek Philippe fitted the present dial in order to lend it a more contemporary look. As a matter of fact, the dial mounted on this reference 2497 is very much in the style of reference 3448, Patek Philippe's flagship perpetual calendar model of the 1970s. With this unusual but legitimate combination, this watch becomes an extremely interesting hybrid between two of the firm's most legendary models: the lavish, generous case design of reference 2497 and the modernist, sober dial layout of reference 3448, a combination resulting in an entirely different, unique look.
Another noteworthy fact is that this reference 2497 is the thirteenth example ever made and one of only twelve yellow gold watches from this model's series fitted with the popular long lugs and typical flat case back.
It is very rare that "one owner since new" complicated Patek Philippe wristwatches from the 1950s are offered at auction. Only thanks to unusual circumstances (that the watch was not sold for 20 years) collectors can now appreciate such a memorable appearance.
Reference 2497 and its water-resistant counterpart reference 2438-1 were launched in 1951. A combined total of only 179 examples of these two models were produced, the vast majority cased in yellow gold, the calibre 27 SCQP movements used for these two models were numbered from 888'000 to 888'178.
The three different series of reference 2497 are easily distinguished by their varying dial layouts: the first featuring applied Arabic and dot numerals and feuille hands, the second with dauphine hands and the third with applied baton numerals and also dauphine hands.
The immediate successor of references 2497 and 2438-1 with perpetual calendar and centre seconds was the well-known reference 3448, the perpetual calendar without seconds hands but now introducing the self-winding movement, a first on the market when launched in 1962, and the simplified dial design.
Fresh to the market and consigned by its original owner, the present watch is preserved in very good, crisp overall condition, retaining sharp case proportions and well defined hallmarks. The unrestored dial depicts a lovely shine and adds to its overall appeal. A modern classic, great to wear as over 50 years ago when originally introduced.
This watch, a most intriguing variant of a reference 2497, is believed to be the only example of this celebrated model fitted with such a dial design known to exist to date, omitting the outer scale with Arabic fifths of a second graduation commonly found on this reference.
Originally entered into Patek Philippe's books in 1953, the year when the movement and case were made, the present reference 2497 remained unsold for another two decades. Whereas it is not known why this watch did not find a buyer until 1973, one can safely assume that when purchased by the actual owner in the Salon Patek Philippe in Geneva that Patek Philippe fitted the present dial in order to lend it a more contemporary look. As a matter of fact, the dial mounted on this reference 2497 is very much in the style of reference 3448, Patek Philippe's flagship perpetual calendar model of the 1970s. With this unusual but legitimate combination, this watch becomes an extremely interesting hybrid between two of the firm's most legendary models: the lavish, generous case design of reference 2497 and the modernist, sober dial layout of reference 3448, a combination resulting in an entirely different, unique look.
Another noteworthy fact is that this reference 2497 is the thirteenth example ever made and one of only twelve yellow gold watches from this model's series fitted with the popular long lugs and typical flat case back.
It is very rare that "one owner since new" complicated Patek Philippe wristwatches from the 1950s are offered at auction. Only thanks to unusual circumstances (that the watch was not sold for 20 years) collectors can now appreciate such a memorable appearance.
Reference 2497 and its water-resistant counterpart reference 2438-1 were launched in 1951. A combined total of only 179 examples of these two models were produced, the vast majority cased in yellow gold, the calibre 27 SCQP movements used for these two models were numbered from 888'000 to 888'178.
The three different series of reference 2497 are easily distinguished by their varying dial layouts: the first featuring applied Arabic and dot numerals and feuille hands, the second with dauphine hands and the third with applied baton numerals and also dauphine hands.
The immediate successor of references 2497 and 2438-1 with perpetual calendar and centre seconds was the well-known reference 3448, the perpetual calendar without seconds hands but now introducing the self-winding movement, a first on the market when launched in 1962, and the simplified dial design.
Fresh to the market and consigned by its original owner, the present watch is preserved in very good, crisp overall condition, retaining sharp case proportions and well defined hallmarks. The unrestored dial depicts a lovely shine and adds to its overall appeal. A modern classic, great to wear as over 50 years ago when originally introduced.