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Lot Essay
With Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch in 1946 and its subsequent sale on July 12th of 1948.
Patek Philippe produced the reference 1518 from 1941 until approximately 1954. This now treasured and collectible timepiece was the first perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch to be manufactured in series by any firm in the world. It was succeeded by the reference 2499. Only 281 examples of this renowned wristwatch were made in total.
Reference 1518 is without a doubt one of Patek Philippe's most important complicated wristwatch models ever produced, and has always been considered in the highest regards amongst collectors. Not only was it the first wristwatch ever made by any manufacturer in series featuring a perpetual calendar and chronograph, but it has become the ground-laying ancestor for subsequent models like the references 2499, 3970, 5970, and 5170.
The present example is one of the finest and most original specimens of this reference we have ever seen in recent years. Acquired by Gordon Bethune personally at Christie's New York in 1994, it is now a two-family ownership watch, and is accordingly well preserved. As a matter of fact, the footnote back in 1994 mentioned "this watch is exceptional for the preservation of its original crown and original gold buckle." Some nearly 20 years later, this "fifteen eighteen" is still preserved in its all-original condition, and we are of the opinion that in all its life, it has never seen a polishing machine or have been restored in any other way.
In today's world, where scholarship is at its all-time high, and only the very best and most original is good enough, this watch represents a superb opportunity to all those purists who want their vintage watch to be as close as possible to the condition when it was originally sold.
Examples of the reference 1518 are illustrated in Patek Philippe Wristwatches by M. Huber & A. Banbery, 1988, plate 386, page 231
Patek Philippe produced the reference 1518 from 1941 until approximately 1954. This now treasured and collectible timepiece was the first perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch to be manufactured in series by any firm in the world. It was succeeded by the reference 2499. Only 281 examples of this renowned wristwatch were made in total.
Reference 1518 is without a doubt one of Patek Philippe's most important complicated wristwatch models ever produced, and has always been considered in the highest regards amongst collectors. Not only was it the first wristwatch ever made by any manufacturer in series featuring a perpetual calendar and chronograph, but it has become the ground-laying ancestor for subsequent models like the references 2499, 3970, 5970, and 5170.
The present example is one of the finest and most original specimens of this reference we have ever seen in recent years. Acquired by Gordon Bethune personally at Christie's New York in 1994, it is now a two-family ownership watch, and is accordingly well preserved. As a matter of fact, the footnote back in 1994 mentioned "this watch is exceptional for the preservation of its original crown and original gold buckle." Some nearly 20 years later, this "fifteen eighteen" is still preserved in its all-original condition, and we are of the opinion that in all its life, it has never seen a polishing machine or have been restored in any other way.
In today's world, where scholarship is at its all-time high, and only the very best and most original is good enough, this watch represents a superb opportunity to all those purists who want their vintage watch to be as close as possible to the condition when it was originally sold.
Examples of the reference 1518 are illustrated in Patek Philippe Wristwatches by M. Huber & A. Banbery, 1988, plate 386, page 231