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Lot Essay
With Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch with raised gold indexes in 1950 and its subsequent sale on 16 December 1952.
More than one or two collectors wonder at night what the next spectacular discovery might be in the world of vintage wristwatches. Regrettably, such news become rarer and rarer with so many of the greatest and rarest wristwatches already known to scholars and beautifully described and illustrated in literature and auction catalogues. However, the present rose gold reference 1518 is a truly scholarship-redefining master piece since it is blessed with a dial variant which not even the most daring dreamers have hoped to see one day. This fresh to the market example is fitted with a two-tone silvered dial, until today never seen before on any reference 1518. The inner circle, reserved for the chronograph scale calibrated for the 5th of a second(or chemin-de-fer) is more silver than the outer section with the tachymetre scale but also the center of the dial with the applied rose gold Arabic numerals. Consequently, pending the angle of the light, this silver ring may shine lighter and darker than the other segments of the dial. The result is stunning, paired with the orangy oxidized gold numerals and the full hard enamel signature and scales and a true work of art.
The case is full and has probably seen no more than one polish to the surface. The hallmarks, one located on the side and one underneath the upper right lug, are as crisp as one can possible hope for with a watch dating from 1950. The pin holes are well defined and confirm that the watch has hardly ever been worn. Inside the case back one can locate two service marks - showing that the watch has been sent twice to a watchmaker in 60 years - once every 30 years on average.
One concludes that this watch has spent most of its life in a bank vault where all elements were protected safely from humidity and daylight and, most importantly, from any unprofessional intervention. As a result this reference 1518 is, thankfully, simply breathtaking and deserves to be described as one of the most beautiful and valuable vintage wristwatches in the world.
Reference 1518
Reference 1518 was launched in 1941 and according to literature, only 281 examples were made until 1954, the majority cased in yellow gold. It was furthermore the first perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch produced in series by any watch company. The model was later replaced by reference 2499 also a perpetual calendar chronograph, but with a wider diameter and fluted lugs.
Reference 1518 is illustrated in Patek Philippe Wristwatches by Martin Huber & Alan Banbery, first édition p. 231 pl. 386, second édition p. 303 pl. 459, and in Armbanduhren - 100 Jahre Entwicklungsgeschichte by Kahlert, Mhe, Brunner, second édition p. 127.
More than one or two collectors wonder at night what the next spectacular discovery might be in the world of vintage wristwatches. Regrettably, such news become rarer and rarer with so many of the greatest and rarest wristwatches already known to scholars and beautifully described and illustrated in literature and auction catalogues. However, the present rose gold reference 1518 is a truly scholarship-redefining master piece since it is blessed with a dial variant which not even the most daring dreamers have hoped to see one day. This fresh to the market example is fitted with a two-tone silvered dial, until today never seen before on any reference 1518. The inner circle, reserved for the chronograph scale calibrated for the 5th of a second(or chemin-de-fer) is more silver than the outer section with the tachymetre scale but also the center of the dial with the applied rose gold Arabic numerals. Consequently, pending the angle of the light, this silver ring may shine lighter and darker than the other segments of the dial. The result is stunning, paired with the orangy oxidized gold numerals and the full hard enamel signature and scales and a true work of art.
The case is full and has probably seen no more than one polish to the surface. The hallmarks, one located on the side and one underneath the upper right lug, are as crisp as one can possible hope for with a watch dating from 1950. The pin holes are well defined and confirm that the watch has hardly ever been worn. Inside the case back one can locate two service marks - showing that the watch has been sent twice to a watchmaker in 60 years - once every 30 years on average.
One concludes that this watch has spent most of its life in a bank vault where all elements were protected safely from humidity and daylight and, most importantly, from any unprofessional intervention. As a result this reference 1518 is, thankfully, simply breathtaking and deserves to be described as one of the most beautiful and valuable vintage wristwatches in the world.
Reference 1518
Reference 1518 was launched in 1941 and according to literature, only 281 examples were made until 1954, the majority cased in yellow gold. It was furthermore the first perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch produced in series by any watch company. The model was later replaced by reference 2499 also a perpetual calendar chronograph, but with a wider diameter and fluted lugs.
Reference 1518 is illustrated in Patek Philippe Wristwatches by Martin Huber & Alan Banbery, first édition p. 231 pl. 386, second édition p. 303 pl. 459, and in Armbanduhren - 100 Jahre Entwicklungsgeschichte by Kahlert, Mhe, Brunner, second édition p. 127.