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Lot Essay
With Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch with 36 diamonds of approximately 2.60 carats in 1959 and its subsequent sale on August 5th of the same year.
To the best of our knowledge this watch has never before been offered in public.
Reference 2496 was introduced into the market in 1951 and made in different case materials and with different dial versions. The majority was cased in yellow or pink gold, either with a smooth bezel or with the "Clous de Paris" decoration.
Examples in platinum and with diamond-set bezel, such as the present watch, are exceedingly rare. To the best of our knowledge, 25 examples have appeared on the market, and the present watch is the only such example with the prestigious Tiffany & Co. retailer's signature on the dial.
It is interesting to note that this platinum 2496 had an original retail price at Tiffany of $3000 in 1959 while a Ref. 2499 perpetual calendar chronograph had a retail price of $1700 at the time. Consequently, this watch was one of the rarest and most expensive watches one could buy from any maker in the world during the mid-20th century.
To the best of our knowledge this watch has never before been offered in public.
Reference 2496 was introduced into the market in 1951 and made in different case materials and with different dial versions. The majority was cased in yellow or pink gold, either with a smooth bezel or with the "Clous de Paris" decoration.
Examples in platinum and with diamond-set bezel, such as the present watch, are exceedingly rare. To the best of our knowledge, 25 examples have appeared on the market, and the present watch is the only such example with the prestigious Tiffany & Co. retailer's signature on the dial.
It is interesting to note that this platinum 2496 had an original retail price at Tiffany of $3000 in 1959 while a Ref. 2499 perpetual calendar chronograph had a retail price of $1700 at the time. Consequently, this watch was one of the rarest and most expensive watches one could buy from any maker in the world during the mid-20th century.