Patek Philippe. A fine and rare 18K pink gold rectangular curved wristwatch with black dial and original pink gold buckle and box

The present watch, consigned by a private owner and never offered in public before, is a highly attractive and very original example of the reference 425 in pink gold with black dial confirmed by the Extract from the Archives. It is believed to be the only second example of this particular model with black dial to appear at auction to date.

Furthermore, the original pink gold Patek Philippe buckle and box have survived intact. The black dial is beautifully preserved with gilt signature and applied pink gold faceted baton indexes. The case has remained crisp and retains sharp angles to the edges and lugs. The upper part has the last three digits of the case number stamped inside as the connoisseur would expect.

Interestingly, both parts of the case are stamped with French import assay marks. The “owl” assay mark has been used since 1893 on finished items imported into France. On the present watch it is stamped on the lugs, side of the case and on the inside back of the case.

Manufacture of reference 425 was launched in 1934 and remained in production until 1960 when it was replaced by the slightly larger reference 2461. Together with the legendary Calatrava reference 96 it was one of Patek Philippe's most popular wristwatches, its typical Art Deco architectural design serving as inspiration for the firm's other rectangular models of the time. It was fitted with the celebrated rectangular-shaped calibre 9-90, Patek Philippe’s finest non-circular movement of the period.