Patek Philippe. A Fine and Rare 18k Gold Perpetual Calendar Chronograph Wristwatch with Moon Phases
Lot 304

Patek Philippe. A Fine and Rare 18k Gold Perpetual Calendar Chronograph Wristwatch with Moon Phases

SIGNED PATEK PHILIPPE, GENEVE, REF. 1518, MOVEMENT NO. 867'360, CASE NO. 650'449, MANUFACTURED IN 1948

Closed11 June 2013

Price Realised

USD 243,750

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Patek Philippe. A Fine and Rare 18k Gold Perpetual Calendar Chronograph Wristwatch with Moon Phases
Signed Patek Philippe, Geneve, Ref. 1518, Movement No. 867'360, Case No. 650'449, Manufactured in 1948
Cal. 13" mechanical movement, 23 jewels, silvered matte dial, applied gold Arabic and dot numerals, outer railway five minute divisions, outer tachometer scale, two apertures for day and month in English, three subsidiary dials for date combined with phases of the moon, 30 minute register, and constant seconds, circular case, two round chronograph buttons in the band, snap on case back, 18k gold Patek Philippe buckle, case, dial, and movement signed
35mm diam.

Specialist note

With Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch in 1948 and its subsequent sale on November 23rd of the same year.

In 1941 Patek Philippe introduced the reference 1518 to the market. This now treasured and collectible timepiece was the first perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch to be manufactured in series by any firm in the world, and remained in production until 1954 when it was succeeded by the reference 2499. Only 281 examples of this renowned wristwatch were made in total.

There were four different series of the reference 1518, each of which was classified by defining characteristics on the dial. The first series was designed with applied gold Arabic numerals. When the second series was introduced at the Basel Fair, the dial was changed to feature enameled hour indexes and the 12 as an applied gold Arabic numeral. The third series again showcased the 12 as applied gold Arabic numeral, but the hour indexes were now in applied gold. Finally, the fourth series had only applied gold indexes, and is exemplified by the present lot.

Examples of the reference 1518 are illustrated in Patek Philippe Wristwatches by M. Huber & A. Banbery, first edition, p. 231 pl. 386 and second edition, p. 303, pl. 459