Patek Philippe. A fine and very rare 18K pink gold rectangular wristwatch
Prospective purchasers are advised that several co… Read more
Patek Philippe. A fine and very rare 18K pink gold rectangular wristwatch

SIGNED PATEK PHILIPPE, GENÈVE, RETAILED BY SERPICO Y LAINO, "MARILYN MONROE" MODEL, REF. 2442, MOVEMENT NO. 974'456, CASE NO. 671'688, MANUFACTURED IN 1952

Details
Patek Philippe. A fine and very rare 18K pink gold rectangular wristwatch
Signed Patek Philippe, Genève, retailed by Serpico Y Laino, "Marilyn Monroe" model, ref. 2442, movement no. 974'456, case no. 671'688, manufactured in 1952
Cal. 9'''90 tonneau-shaped mechanical movement, 18 jewels, silvered matte dial, applied gold Arabic and dagger numerals, subsidiary seconds, rectangular case, flared sides, snap on back, 18K pink gold buckle, case, dial and movement signed by maker, case further signed by retailer
26.5 mm. width, 43 mm. length
Special Notice
Prospective purchasers are advised that several countries prohibit the importation of property containing materials from endangered species, including but not limited to coral, ivory and tortoiseshell. Accordingly, prospective purchasers should familiarize themselves with relevant customs regulations prior to bidding if they intend to import this lot into another country. On lots marked with an + in the catalogue, VAT will be charged at 8% on both the premium as well as the hammer price.

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Lot Essay

With additional silvered Patek Philippe dial, fitted presentation and outer packaging. Furthermore delivered with the Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch in 1952 and its subsequent sale on 25 November 1952.

Consigned by a private collector this reference 2442 is believed to be fresh to the market.

Launched in 1948, reference 2442 is today one of the most appreciated and collectible shape wristwatches ever made. Its voluptuous and iconic case shape remains immediately recognizable among Patek Philippe's production. Aesthetically, its 42.5 mm length grants to it a remarkable wrist presence, making this reference extremely pleasing to wear. It is so appreciated by collectors that, over time, its case design has inspired at least three nicknames: "banana", "osso da morto" (Italian for: dead man's bone) and "Marylin", the name of the most widely recognized icon of femininity came to be because the curve of the case recalls, with its wide top and bottom and narrow center, a perfect female body.

It is powered by the tonneau-shaped calibre 9-90. This movement was specifically developed by Patek Philippe for shape watches, and the case were modelled after the shape of this movements. With shape watches becoming less and less in fashion with the advent of the 1960s, the development of tonneau-shaped movements was discontinued and round movements were used for the few shaped watches the company sold over that time. Even reference 5500, the celebratory "Pagoda" watch launched in the 1990s, features a round movement.

Produced for the majority in yellow gold, pink gold pieces such as the present watch are extremely rare and sought-after. When a pink 2442 is furthermore retailed by revered Caracas retailer Serpico Y Laino, with the monogram stamped to the case back and wonderfully preserved, it jumps to a superior tear of appeal.

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