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Lot Essay
With Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch in 1948 and its subsequent sale on August 31st of 1950.
Patek Philippe produced the reference 1518 from 1941 until approximately 1954, and it was the first perpetual calendar chronograph to be manufactured in series by any firm worldwide. A total of only 281 examples were produced in total. The model was later replaced by the reference 2499, and has inspired the design for subsequent perpetual calendar chronographs.
The present watch is a fine example of the reference 1518, having recently been serviced by Patek Philippe Geneva. It is interesting to note that the movement bears the stamp HOX, which indicates that the watch was made for the American market, and was imported by the Henri Stern Watch Agency, the American representative for Patek Philippe S.A. The watch was further sold on October 25th, 1950 by the Bohm-Allen Jewelry Company, the leading jewelry store of Colorado in the 20th Century.
The inside of the case back is stamped Poinçon de Maître key 9, which is also known as a Collective Responsibility Mark. This stamp indicates the case was made by Emile Vichet S.A. in Geneva, a firm known for crafting very thin cases, and the cases for other complicated Patek Philippe watches.
The reference 1518 is now a treasured and collectible timepiece, seen by many Patek Philippe connoisseurs as the crown jewel of their collection.
Examples of reference 1518 are illustrated in Patek Philippe Wristwatches by M. Huber & A. Banbery, 1998, plate 386, page 231.
To the best of our knowledge this watch has never before been offered in public.
Patek Philippe produced the reference 1518 from 1941 until approximately 1954, and it was the first perpetual calendar chronograph to be manufactured in series by any firm worldwide. A total of only 281 examples were produced in total. The model was later replaced by the reference 2499, and has inspired the design for subsequent perpetual calendar chronographs.
The present watch is a fine example of the reference 1518, having recently been serviced by Patek Philippe Geneva. It is interesting to note that the movement bears the stamp HOX, which indicates that the watch was made for the American market, and was imported by the Henri Stern Watch Agency, the American representative for Patek Philippe S.A. The watch was further sold on October 25th, 1950 by the Bohm-Allen Jewelry Company, the leading jewelry store of Colorado in the 20th Century.
The inside of the case back is stamped Poinçon de Maître key 9, which is also known as a Collective Responsibility Mark. This stamp indicates the case was made by Emile Vichet S.A. in Geneva, a firm known for crafting very thin cases, and the cases for other complicated Patek Philippe watches.
The reference 1518 is now a treasured and collectible timepiece, seen by many Patek Philippe connoisseurs as the crown jewel of their collection.
Examples of reference 1518 are illustrated in Patek Philippe Wristwatches by M. Huber & A. Banbery, 1998, plate 386, page 231.
To the best of our knowledge this watch has never before been offered in public.