Lot Essay
With Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch with applied hour markers in 1957 and its subsequent sale on 1 October 1958.
Whereas to many watch collectors reference 2499 by Patek Philippe is the most perfect vintage wristwatch ever created, amongst the four series the second generation is often elected as the finest combination of vintage look, ideal proportions and unmatched dial design. In fact, few watches are surrounded by such mythical appeal like this model - similarly like the famous Ferrari 250 SWB or Aston Martin's DB5 for car aficionados.
Interestingly, the second series of reference 2499 was the only series which is fully accepted to have been fitted with two different dial designs. Whereas both styles were always equipped with a tachometre scale, the earlier version had full Arabic numerals - a reminiscence of the legendary model 1518 and the first series of reference 2499. The second type, like the present watch, was enhanced with faceted baton markers. Today, in total only sixteen yellow gold examples of the specifications like the watch offered here for sale are known to have survived.
The present reference 2499 impresses by its overall extraordinarily crisp and original condition. The case shows only signs of sporadic wear and has, consequently, probably never been polished. In fact, its proportions remain sharp and full, most evident to the beholders eye are the well defined edges of the lugs and the crisp gold marks. With time, the state-of-the-art dial has taken an incredibly subtle yet warm patina and has never been restored or cosmetically enhanced in any way. The hard enamel signature and scales are, consequently, as raised as the connoisseur would expect.
In essence, there is no doubt that this "two-four-nine-nine" can not only compete in terms of condition and quality with any other example for a place on the podium but must also be considered one of the most beautiful vintage wristwatches offered in recent auction seasons.
Reference 2499
Reference 2499, widely acknowledged as one of the world's greatest watch models ever created, has undoubtedly greatly influenced the designs of many of the most renowned watchmakers. Introduced to the market in 1950 it replaced the legendary reference 1518 (see lots 83 and 370 in this auction), the world's first perpetual calendar wristwatch with chronograph made in series.
Over a period of 35 years, reference 2499 was made in four series in a total production of only 349 pieces, the majority cased in yellow gold. The rarity of this model becomes evident when considering that an annual average of only 9 watches left Patek Philippe's workshops.
Reference 2499 is generally divided into the following four series:
- first series: square chronograph buttons, applied Arabic numerals and tachymetre scale
- second series, such as the present watch: round chronograph buttons, either applied baton or applied Arabic numerals and tachymetre scale
- third series: round chronograph buttons, applied baton numerals and outer seconds divisions
- fourth series: round chronograph buttons, applied baton numerals, outer seconds divisions and sapphire crystal (see lot 249 in this auction)
Reference 2499 is illustrated in Patek Philippe Wristwatches by Martin Huber & Alan Banbery, second edition, pp. 302 & 304.
Whereas to many watch collectors reference 2499 by Patek Philippe is the most perfect vintage wristwatch ever created, amongst the four series the second generation is often elected as the finest combination of vintage look, ideal proportions and unmatched dial design. In fact, few watches are surrounded by such mythical appeal like this model - similarly like the famous Ferrari 250 SWB or Aston Martin's DB5 for car aficionados.
Interestingly, the second series of reference 2499 was the only series which is fully accepted to have been fitted with two different dial designs. Whereas both styles were always equipped with a tachometre scale, the earlier version had full Arabic numerals - a reminiscence of the legendary model 1518 and the first series of reference 2499. The second type, like the present watch, was enhanced with faceted baton markers. Today, in total only sixteen yellow gold examples of the specifications like the watch offered here for sale are known to have survived.
The present reference 2499 impresses by its overall extraordinarily crisp and original condition. The case shows only signs of sporadic wear and has, consequently, probably never been polished. In fact, its proportions remain sharp and full, most evident to the beholders eye are the well defined edges of the lugs and the crisp gold marks. With time, the state-of-the-art dial has taken an incredibly subtle yet warm patina and has never been restored or cosmetically enhanced in any way. The hard enamel signature and scales are, consequently, as raised as the connoisseur would expect.
In essence, there is no doubt that this "two-four-nine-nine" can not only compete in terms of condition and quality with any other example for a place on the podium but must also be considered one of the most beautiful vintage wristwatches offered in recent auction seasons.
Reference 2499
Reference 2499, widely acknowledged as one of the world's greatest watch models ever created, has undoubtedly greatly influenced the designs of many of the most renowned watchmakers. Introduced to the market in 1950 it replaced the legendary reference 1518 (see lots 83 and 370 in this auction), the world's first perpetual calendar wristwatch with chronograph made in series.
Over a period of 35 years, reference 2499 was made in four series in a total production of only 349 pieces, the majority cased in yellow gold. The rarity of this model becomes evident when considering that an annual average of only 9 watches left Patek Philippe's workshops.
Reference 2499 is generally divided into the following four series:
- first series: square chronograph buttons, applied Arabic numerals and tachymetre scale
- second series, such as the present watch: round chronograph buttons, either applied baton or applied Arabic numerals and tachymetre scale
- third series: round chronograph buttons, applied baton numerals and outer seconds divisions
- fourth series: round chronograph buttons, applied baton numerals, outer seconds divisions and sapphire crystal (see lot 249 in this auction)
Reference 2499 is illustrated in Patek Philippe Wristwatches by Martin Huber & Alan Banbery, second edition, pp. 302 & 304.