Live Auction 2919Important Watches
PATEK PHILIPPE. AN EXCEPTIONAL AND UNIQUE 18K PINK GOLD WRISTWATCH WITH SWEEP CENTRE SECONDS AND CLOISONNÉ ENAMEL DIAL "THE LIGHTHOUSE"
Lot 4715

PATEK PHILIPPE. AN EXCEPTIONAL AND UNIQUE 18K PINK GOLD WRISTWATCH WITH SWEEP CENTRE SECONDS AND CLOISONNÉ ENAMEL DIAL "THE LIGHTHOUSE"

SIGNED PATEK PHILIPPE, GENEVE, REF. 2481, MOVEMENT NO. 704'954, CASE NO. 689'399, MANUFACTURED IN 1955

Closed30 May 2012

Price Realised

HKD 3,140,000

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PATEK PHILIPPE. AN EXCEPTIONAL AND UNIQUE 18K PINK GOLD WRISTWATCH WITH SWEEP CENTRE SECONDS AND CLOISONNÉ ENAMEL DIAL "THE LIGHTHOUSE"
SIGNED PATEK PHILIPPE, GENEVE, REF. 2481, MOVEMENT NO. 704'954, CASE NO. 689'399, MANUFACTURED IN 1955
Cal. 27 SC mechanical lever movement, 18 jewels, cloisonne polychrome enamel dial with a lighthouse scene, outer polished chapter ring with applied Arabic and baton numerals, inner calibrated Arabic five minute divsions, sweep centre seconds, large circular case, downturned fluted lugs, snap on back, 18k pink gold Patek Philippe buckle,case, dial and movement signed
37 mm. diam.

Antiquorum, Geneva, Important Watches, Wristwatches and Clocks, October 31 November 1st, 1998, lot 462, where acquired by the present owner.

Specialist note

US$200,000-300,000

With Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch in 1955 and its subsequent sale on 29 June 1956.

Collectors of rare wristwatches are fascinated by complications and their complex mechanisms. However wristwatches fitted with cloisonné enamel dials take a most prominent position in terms of beauty, craftsmanship and rarity. Patek Philippe made mostly in the 1940's and 50's an exceedingly small number of "time only" wristwatches where highly detailed and incredibly artistic cloisonné enamel dials were fitted. Only an extremely small number of watches were upgraded with these wonderful dials, depicting popular motifs such as the jungle theme (please see lot 4922 in this sale), the lighthouse such as the present lot, or maps.
Examples in such crisp condition, free of any chips or damages are veritable trophies and are "must haves" for the discerning collector.

Reference 2481 was launched in 1950 and was one of the largest wristwatches ever made by Patek Philippe. Various examples are illustrated in Patek Philippe Wristwatches by Martin Huber & Alan Banbery, second edition, pp. 205, 207-211.