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Lot Essay
This model is described and illustrated in Patek Philippe Museum by Patek Philippe, Volume II, pp. 302-305.
A total of only 281 examples of the reference 1518 were produced in total. The model was later replaced by the reference 2499, and has inspired the design for subsequent perpetual calendar chronographs of Patek Philippe up to the present time.
The present watch is made even more special as it belonged to King Farouk of Egypt, (1920-1965), who was born in Alexandria, Egypt.
The great-great-grandson of Muhammed Ali, Farouk, was of Albanian, French and Turkish descendents. King Farouk was the tenth ruler from the Muhammad Ali Dynasty and the penultimate King of Egypt and The Sudan, succeeding his father, Fuad I of Egypt in 1936.
Farouk was 32 when he lost the throne, after being King for 16 years. As a young Prince, Farouk was educated in England at the Royal Military Academy in Woolwich. He ascended the throne in a blaze of popularity, making radio address to the people - the frst time that a reigning monarch had made such a populist move.
He was a King who enjoyed an extremely glamorous royal lifestyle and often travelled to Europe for elaborate shopping sprees. Although he was just 16 years old when he became King, he soon owned much land, airplanes, yachts and luxury cars. In addition to rare Mercedes Benz 540K which Farouk acquired in 1938, his collection also included Rolls Royces and Bentleys. Cars belonging to the King and palace oficials were always colored red so that they would not get stopped on their way.
His extravagant collection of luxurious items also included coins and fine timepieces. King Farouk was known to commission watchmakers to complete masterpieces watches for him, a passion he inherited from his father.
The present wristwatch by Patek Philippe has an engraving on the case back of the crown and the letter “F”. The crownbears the distinguishable design elements from the Royal Crown of Egypt, including the star and a half-moon on the top of it, that is also seen on the Egyptian fag. The “F” that is engraved on the case back symbolizes Farouk’s entire family as his father believed the letter was lucky and subsequently named Farouk, as well as his five sisters with names beginning with the same letter.
A total of only 281 examples of the reference 1518 were produced in total. The model was later replaced by the reference 2499, and has inspired the design for subsequent perpetual calendar chronographs of Patek Philippe up to the present time.
The present watch is made even more special as it belonged to King Farouk of Egypt, (1920-1965), who was born in Alexandria, Egypt.
The great-great-grandson of Muhammed Ali, Farouk, was of Albanian, French and Turkish descendents. King Farouk was the tenth ruler from the Muhammad Ali Dynasty and the penultimate King of Egypt and The Sudan, succeeding his father, Fuad I of Egypt in 1936.
Farouk was 32 when he lost the throne, after being King for 16 years. As a young Prince, Farouk was educated in England at the Royal Military Academy in Woolwich. He ascended the throne in a blaze of popularity, making radio address to the people - the frst time that a reigning monarch had made such a populist move.
He was a King who enjoyed an extremely glamorous royal lifestyle and often travelled to Europe for elaborate shopping sprees. Although he was just 16 years old when he became King, he soon owned much land, airplanes, yachts and luxury cars. In addition to rare Mercedes Benz 540K which Farouk acquired in 1938, his collection also included Rolls Royces and Bentleys. Cars belonging to the King and palace oficials were always colored red so that they would not get stopped on their way.
His extravagant collection of luxurious items also included coins and fine timepieces. King Farouk was known to commission watchmakers to complete masterpieces watches for him, a passion he inherited from his father.
The present wristwatch by Patek Philippe has an engraving on the case back of the crown and the letter “F”. The crownbears the distinguishable design elements from the Royal Crown of Egypt, including the star and a half-moon on the top of it, that is also seen on the Egyptian fag. The “F” that is engraved on the case back symbolizes Farouk’s entire family as his father believed the letter was lucky and subsequently named Farouk, as well as his five sisters with names beginning with the same letter.