Live Auction 2610Important Watches
Patek Philippe. A Fine and Rare 18k Pink Gold Wristwatch with Ruby-Set Enamel Dial Painted with a Portrait of King Saud bin Abdul Aziz of Saudi Arabia with Gay Freres Bracelet
Lot 251

Patek Philippe. A Fine and Rare 18k Pink Gold Wristwatch with Ruby-Set Enamel Dial Painted with a Portrait of King Saud bin Abdul Aziz of Saudi Arabia with Gay Freres Bracelet

SIGNED PATEK PHILIPPE, GENÈVE, REF. 2481, MOVEMENT NO. 704'833, CASE NO. 689'374, MANUFACTURED IN 1955

Closed14 December 2012

Price Realised

USD 30,000

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Patek Philippe. A Fine and Rare 18k Pink Gold Wristwatch with Ruby-Set Enamel Dial Painted with a Portrait of King Saud bin Abdul Aziz of Saudi Arabia with Gay Freres Bracelet
Signed Patek Philippe, Genève, Ref. 2481, Movement No. 704'833, Case No. 689'374, Manufactured in 1955
Cal. 27 SC mechanical movement, 18 jewels, white enamel dial with hand painted portrait, applied ruby baton and square numerals, center seconds, circular case, concave band fluted lugs, snap-on case back, 18k pink gold Patek Philippe Gay Freres brick link bracelet and clasp, case, dial and movement signed
37mm diam.

Specialist note

With Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch with enamel dial, painted portrait of the King of Saudi Arabia, ruby hour markers and pink gold bracelet in 1955 and its subsequent sale on May 3rd of the following year.

To the best of our knowledge this watch has never before been offered in public.

The present watch features a portrait of King Abdul al-Aziz III ibn Saud, the founder of Saudi Arabia. 50 watches were specially ordered by Patek Philippe's Saudi Arabian retailer in 1953 in honor of King Saud.

Reference 2481 was introduced into the market in 1950 and was one of the largest wristwatches ever made by Patek Philippe. The model was available with the standard silvered dial but was also with a cloisonné enamel version, depicting portraits of famous personalities, landscapes or continents, often made to special order.

Different examples of such dials are illustrated in Patek Philippe Wristwatches by M. Huber & A. Banbery, Second Edition, pages 205-209 & 211.