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Lot Essay
With Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch with gold plate dial and raised gold hour markers in 1950 and its subsequent sale on 23 July 1952.
Never seen before on the market and consigned by the family of the French original owner, this timepiece is a superb and exciting discovery. Purchased in 1952, all the details of this watch absolutely match what one would expect from a Patek Philippe sold in France in the early 1950s: not only the calendar is in French, but it correctly bears the French import marks (the owl) to the inside of case back and the hallmark JG, which stands for Jean Guillermin, prominent French Patek Philippe retailer of the time.
The owner, well aware of the importance of the timepiece, looked after it with a nearly religious dedication: the movement has been obviously regularly oiled and cleaned, and is in superb condition. Furthermore, the case and dial were not over-restored during these interventions, and are in very good and original condition. The case presents a crisp gold hallmark to the band and well retains its original proportions. The dial as well is in very good condition, retaining all the details the connoisseur looks for, such as the delicate accent of Genève which is, on timepieces from this age, most often lost to cosmetic interventions. On top of that, an extremely light and even patina developed on the dial, amplifying the vintage vibe of this exquisite masterpiece.
If one were to choose a line of watches that best epitomizes Patek Philippe production, good chances are he or she would point the finger at the perpetual chronographs line. Encompassing 5 models starting from 1941 to the present time, it is difficult to find a Patek Philippe watch more representative of the elegance and technical perfection achieved by the firm.
Patek Philippe itself regards these models as the true custodians of their heritage, as testified by the fact that the overall design of these pieces, especially of the dial, remained basically unchanged - of course with subtle updates to acknowledge the shifts in fashion that happened over the course of nearly a century - since its inception in 1941 on the first model of this revered line: indeed reference 1518, represented by this stunning timepiece.
The earliest Patek Philippe perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch serially produced (and, as a matter of fact, the first perpetual chronograph wristwatch serially produced by any manufacturer, ever), reference 1518 is also the rarest. In production from 1941 to 1954, the total output is a meager 281 pieces. It is known in yellow and pink gold, as well few examples in steel. Its scarcity frustrated dozens of clients, as it was reserved for the most prominent Patek Philippe patrons such as Henry Graves Jr, the King of Jordan and the King of Egypt. The case design of the model underwent a subtle evolution over the years: the first examples featured the chronograph pushers to the center of the band and the date correctors closer to the upper edge. Later, the pushers are found closer to the lower edge of the band, and the correctors are moved slightly down as well. Transitional models between the first and second case design present a thicker case body and thinner band, while later the case body is less prominent in favor of a more important bezel.
Gold cases were made by Emile Vichet (case maker number 9, inscribed in a key as for all the Geneva based case makers), and pink gold cases are exceptionally rare: it is estimated that less than a quarter of the overall production was in pink gold.
Combining provenance from the family of the original owner, freshness to the market, the rarest gold color for this reference, and the absolute good looks and historical importance of this model, the present timepiece deserves without a doubt the classification of "grail watch" for any Patek Philippe collector.
Never seen before on the market and consigned by the family of the French original owner, this timepiece is a superb and exciting discovery. Purchased in 1952, all the details of this watch absolutely match what one would expect from a Patek Philippe sold in France in the early 1950s: not only the calendar is in French, but it correctly bears the French import marks (the owl) to the inside of case back and the hallmark JG, which stands for Jean Guillermin, prominent French Patek Philippe retailer of the time.
The owner, well aware of the importance of the timepiece, looked after it with a nearly religious dedication: the movement has been obviously regularly oiled and cleaned, and is in superb condition. Furthermore, the case and dial were not over-restored during these interventions, and are in very good and original condition. The case presents a crisp gold hallmark to the band and well retains its original proportions. The dial as well is in very good condition, retaining all the details the connoisseur looks for, such as the delicate accent of Genève which is, on timepieces from this age, most often lost to cosmetic interventions. On top of that, an extremely light and even patina developed on the dial, amplifying the vintage vibe of this exquisite masterpiece.
If one were to choose a line of watches that best epitomizes Patek Philippe production, good chances are he or she would point the finger at the perpetual chronographs line. Encompassing 5 models starting from 1941 to the present time, it is difficult to find a Patek Philippe watch more representative of the elegance and technical perfection achieved by the firm.
Patek Philippe itself regards these models as the true custodians of their heritage, as testified by the fact that the overall design of these pieces, especially of the dial, remained basically unchanged - of course with subtle updates to acknowledge the shifts in fashion that happened over the course of nearly a century - since its inception in 1941 on the first model of this revered line: indeed reference 1518, represented by this stunning timepiece.
The earliest Patek Philippe perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch serially produced (and, as a matter of fact, the first perpetual chronograph wristwatch serially produced by any manufacturer, ever), reference 1518 is also the rarest. In production from 1941 to 1954, the total output is a meager 281 pieces. It is known in yellow and pink gold, as well few examples in steel. Its scarcity frustrated dozens of clients, as it was reserved for the most prominent Patek Philippe patrons such as Henry Graves Jr, the King of Jordan and the King of Egypt. The case design of the model underwent a subtle evolution over the years: the first examples featured the chronograph pushers to the center of the band and the date correctors closer to the upper edge. Later, the pushers are found closer to the lower edge of the band, and the correctors are moved slightly down as well. Transitional models between the first and second case design present a thicker case body and thinner band, while later the case body is less prominent in favor of a more important bezel.
Gold cases were made by Emile Vichet (case maker number 9, inscribed in a key as for all the Geneva based case makers), and pink gold cases are exceptionally rare: it is estimated that less than a quarter of the overall production was in pink gold.
Combining provenance from the family of the original owner, freshness to the market, the rarest gold color for this reference, and the absolute good looks and historical importance of this model, the present timepiece deserves without a doubt the classification of "grail watch" for any Patek Philippe collector.