PATEK PHILIPPE. A RARE 18K GOLD PERPETUAL CALENDAR CHRONOGRAPH WRISTWATCH WITH MOON PHASES AND RESTORED SILVERED DIAL

To many watch collectors, the Patek Philippe reference 2499 is the most perfect vintage wristwatch ever created. With ideal proportions and unmatched dial design, few watches are surrounded by such mythical appeal; an absolute must for the discerning collector.

Reference 2499
Introduced in 1951, it replaced the legendary reference 1518, the world's first perpetual calendar wristwatch with chronograph made in series. The 2499 remained in production until 1985, over the entire production run of nearly 35 years a total of only 349 examples were ever made.
The 2499 incorporates an exceptional combination of complications: perpetual calendar, chronograph and moon phases.

Throughout this reference's history the features of the dial and case underwent four transformations:

- first series: square chronograph buttons, applied Arabic numerals and tachymetre scale
- second series, round chronograph buttons, either applied baton or applied Arabic numerals and tachymetre scale
- third series: round chronograph buttons, applied baton numerals and outer seconds divisions
- fourth series: round chronograph buttons, applied baton numerals, outer seconds divisions and sapphire crystal

Reference 2499 is illustrated in Patek Philippe Wristwatches by Martin Huber & Alan Banbery, second edition, pp. 302 & 304, and in Patek Philippe Museum - Patek Philippe Watches, Volume II, pp. 306-307.