PATEK PHILIPPE, REF. 2438/1, A RARE GOLD PERPETUAL CALENDAR WRISTWATCH

Reference 2438-1 was produced between 1952 and 1963 and only available in either yellow or pink gold. It was in fact made as a water-resistant variation of the more familiar reference 2497 which is fitted with the same movement and dial. Supplied by Wenger, one of the best case makers in Geneva, the case of the 2438-1 is fitted with a screw down back as opposed to the 2497s snap on back and is 0.7 mm smaller with a still impressive diameter of 37 mm. - oversized at the time of its first inception, but totally in line with today’s standards.

The references 2438-1 and 2497 were the first and only sweep centre seconds perpetual calendar watches produced by Patek Philippe right up until the launch of references 5050 and 5059 nearly forty years later in 1993.

The aesthetic impact of the reference 2438-1 largely stems from its iconic lugs, defined by the carved groove to the upper outer edges, a feature it has in common with the reference 2499. This detail transfigures the overall look of the watch imbuing it with a subtle yet stately importance leaving no doubt that one is in the presence of one of watch collecting’s all-time classics.

The present watch is from the model’s second series with a second series Mark II dial. The first series reference 2438 is recognized by its applied Arabic numerals and feuille hands. The second series, such as the present, can be found with two dial variations: Mark I - with applied five-facet ‘bullet’ baton numerals and dauphine hands; Mark II – with shorter four-facet baton numerals