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Lot Essay
With Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch with raised gold hour markers in 1948 and its subsequent sale on 6 January 1950.
Collectors and aficionados of exceptional timepieces alike cannot but enthusiastically greet the public appearance of one of the ultra-rare pink on pink examples of the landmark reference 1518. Considered by many the ultimate vintage complicated wristwatch, the tone-on-tone variant is by all means one of the paramount models in Patek Philippes 20th century production. The fact that to date, only nine of these masterpieces are known to have survived, further emphasizes the uniqueness of this supreme combination.
An additional, not less significant aspect of the present "pink on pink" 1518 is the fact that it has remained in the same Swiss family since its purchase in 1950 at Patek Philippe's Geneva boutique and has spent many decades safely locked away. The very strong and original condition is impressively shown by the full bodied lugs and the crisp hallmarks to the left band, both signs for cases which have hardly ever been subject to careless polishing.
The most striking feature of this watch is however its astoundingly attractive dial, distinguished by one of the most charismatic colours ever seen on this model. Virtually untouched, the rose tone has taken a uniform tinge of ginger, strikingly matching the pink gold colour of the case. To no surprise, the hard enamel signature and scales are as raised as to be expected, even the day and month windows impress by the pristineness of the black enamel writing on white background.
By far one of the best and certainly most charismatic "pink on pink" references 1518 to be offered in public in recent years, the present specimen is certain to attract the undivided attention of the entire watch collecting community.
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 edition p. 231 pl. 386, second edition p. 303 pl. 459, and in Armbanduhren - 100 Jahre Entwicklungsgeschichte by Kahlert, Mühe, Brunner, second edition p. 127.
Collectors and aficionados of exceptional timepieces alike cannot but enthusiastically greet the public appearance of one of the ultra-rare pink on pink examples of the landmark reference 1518. Considered by many the ultimate vintage complicated wristwatch, the tone-on-tone variant is by all means one of the paramount models in Patek Philippes 20th century production. The fact that to date, only nine of these masterpieces are known to have survived, further emphasizes the uniqueness of this supreme combination.
An additional, not less significant aspect of the present "pink on pink" 1518 is the fact that it has remained in the same Swiss family since its purchase in 1950 at Patek Philippe's Geneva boutique and has spent many decades safely locked away. The very strong and original condition is impressively shown by the full bodied lugs and the crisp hallmarks to the left band, both signs for cases which have hardly ever been subject to careless polishing.
The most striking feature of this watch is however its astoundingly attractive dial, distinguished by one of the most charismatic colours ever seen on this model. Virtually untouched, the rose tone has taken a uniform tinge of ginger, strikingly matching the pink gold colour of the case. To no surprise, the hard enamel signature and scales are as raised as to be expected, even the day and month windows impress by the pristineness of the black enamel writing on white background.
By far one of the best and certainly most charismatic "pink on pink" references 1518 to be offered in public in recent years, the present specimen is certain to attract the undivided attention of the entire watch collecting community.
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 edition p. 231 pl. 386, second edition p. 303 pl. 459, and in Armbanduhren - 100 Jahre Entwicklungsgeschichte by Kahlert, Mühe, Brunner, second edition p. 127.