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Lot Essay
With Patek Philippe Certificate of Origin and Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch in 1953 and its subsequent sale on 8 September 1956. Furthermore delivered with Patek Philippe fitted black presentation box.
A formidable example of a first series reference 2497, displaying alternating applied gold dot and Arabic numerals on the dial, the present watch catches the eye due to its excellent overall condition. The gold marks on the undersides of the upper left and lower right lugs are as sharp as one would expect them to be on the day the watch was first sold.
The dial displays great depth, which has not been diminished by a gentle wash, with every feature beautifully visible, including the clear enamel signature and outer fifths of a second divisions. Still accompanied by its original Certificate, the watch must be considered a rare trophy for the discerning collector. This is especially true since the present reference 2497 is one of only three examples in yellow gold known to still have their original "birth" Certificate.
It should be noted that the present watch is a rare and undoubtedly iconic vintage reference as Patek Philippe did not produce any perpetual calendar watches with sweep centre seconds from circa 1963 to 1993. In fact, in the period of production for both 2497 - as well as its water-resistant sister model Ref. 2438/1 - from 1951 to 1963, those two references were the only ones made by the company to feature the perpetual calendar function, moon phases and sweep centre seconds. It was only with the introduction of the Patek Philippe references 5050 and 5059 in the 1990s that the combination of sweep centre seconds, perpetual calendar function and moon phases was to once again appear on the market. The two modern references additionally include an automatic calibre, a leap year indication, as well as the date displayed in retrograde version.
Reference 2497
Reference 2497 was introduced in 1951, simultaneously with its more complicated sister model with chronograph, reference 2499. They replaced the legendary references 1526 and 1518 which are best remembered for their Calatrava-style cases and their unmistakable 1940s look. Whereas reference 2499 was fitted with the same 13''' movement as its predecessor, consequently offering the same functions to its wearer, the "simple" perpetual calendar model 2497 now featured a centre seconds hand, an absolute first on the watch market. This newly designated calibre 27 SC was upgraded with Patek Philippe's patented perpetual calendar mechanism. A combined total of only 179 movements with this new feature were made, numbered from 888'000 to 888'178.
The new generation of Patek Philippe's perpetual calendar models, with or without chronograph mechanism, met the more lavish 1950s taste, the case proportions now slightly more playful. References 2497 and 2499 were first fitted with cases featuring a flat snap on back and very prominent claw-shaped lugs, which then were replaced with a more rounded case back and less downturned lugs.
The two different series of reference 2497 are easily distinguished by their varying dial layouts: the first, such as the present watch, featuring applied Arabic and dot numerals and feuille hands, the second with applied baton numerals and dauphine hands.
Examples of reference 2497 are illustrated in Patek Philippe Wristwatches by M. Huber & A. Banbery, second edition, pp. 285 & 287.
A formidable example of a first series reference 2497, displaying alternating applied gold dot and Arabic numerals on the dial, the present watch catches the eye due to its excellent overall condition. The gold marks on the undersides of the upper left and lower right lugs are as sharp as one would expect them to be on the day the watch was first sold.
The dial displays great depth, which has not been diminished by a gentle wash, with every feature beautifully visible, including the clear enamel signature and outer fifths of a second divisions. Still accompanied by its original Certificate, the watch must be considered a rare trophy for the discerning collector. This is especially true since the present reference 2497 is one of only three examples in yellow gold known to still have their original "birth" Certificate.
It should be noted that the present watch is a rare and undoubtedly iconic vintage reference as Patek Philippe did not produce any perpetual calendar watches with sweep centre seconds from circa 1963 to 1993. In fact, in the period of production for both 2497 - as well as its water-resistant sister model Ref. 2438/1 - from 1951 to 1963, those two references were the only ones made by the company to feature the perpetual calendar function, moon phases and sweep centre seconds. It was only with the introduction of the Patek Philippe references 5050 and 5059 in the 1990s that the combination of sweep centre seconds, perpetual calendar function and moon phases was to once again appear on the market. The two modern references additionally include an automatic calibre, a leap year indication, as well as the date displayed in retrograde version.
Reference 2497
Reference 2497 was introduced in 1951, simultaneously with its more complicated sister model with chronograph, reference 2499. They replaced the legendary references 1526 and 1518 which are best remembered for their Calatrava-style cases and their unmistakable 1940s look. Whereas reference 2499 was fitted with the same 13''' movement as its predecessor, consequently offering the same functions to its wearer, the "simple" perpetual calendar model 2497 now featured a centre seconds hand, an absolute first on the watch market. This newly designated calibre 27 SC was upgraded with Patek Philippe's patented perpetual calendar mechanism. A combined total of only 179 movements with this new feature were made, numbered from 888'000 to 888'178.
The new generation of Patek Philippe's perpetual calendar models, with or without chronograph mechanism, met the more lavish 1950s taste, the case proportions now slightly more playful. References 2497 and 2499 were first fitted with cases featuring a flat snap on back and very prominent claw-shaped lugs, which then were replaced with a more rounded case back and less downturned lugs.
The two different series of reference 2497 are easily distinguished by their varying dial layouts: the first, such as the present watch, featuring applied Arabic and dot numerals and feuille hands, the second with applied baton numerals and dauphine hands.
Examples of reference 2497 are illustrated in Patek Philippe Wristwatches by M. Huber & A. Banbery, second edition, pp. 285 & 287.