Patek Philippe Perpetual Calendar Chronograph 1518

Ref. 1518A very attractive and extremely rare yellow gold perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch with moonphases

Manufacturer: Patek Philippe Year: 1951 Reference No: 1518 Movement No: 868’105 Case No: 674’131 Material: 18K yellow gold Calibre: Manual, cal. 13''130 Q, 23 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Leather Clasp/Buckle: 18K yellow gold modern Patek Philippe pin buckle Dimensions: 35mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed Accessories: Accompanied by Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch in 1951 and its subsequent sale on November 3, 1953. Literature: Reference 1518 is illustrated in Patek Philippe Wristwatches by Martin Huber & Alan Banbery, first edition p. 231 pl. 386, second edition p. 303 pl. 459.It is surprising how certain masterpieces are born in times of turmoil, Patek Philippe's reference 1518 being one of them. Patek Philippe’s reference 1518 is a milestone in the history of wristwatches and greatly contributed to the manufacturer's dominant position in the Swiss watchmaking industry. Launched in 1941, in the midst of World War II, reference 1518 is the very first perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch to be made in series. Not only did it set the design elements used by Patek Philippe in all of its subsequent perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatches, but in its own manner greatly contributed to the manufacturer's dominant position in the watchmaking industry and launched the series production of multi-complicated wristwatches within the Swiss industry (at an epoch where multi complications were bespoke orders). Scholarship indicates that only 281 examples of reference 1518 were made between 1941 and 1954, in yellow and pink gold. Today only four in stainless steel are known. The present lot is in overall beautiful condition and appears on the market only for the second time. The present perpetual calendar chronograph is a very attractive example of this horological milestone. The masculine case has wonderful presence with its long lugs and wide opening for the dial enhancing the impression of size. Bringing life to this superb example of horological ingenuity is the manual caliber 13’’130 Q (for Quantième, “date” in French), based on a Valjoux caliber 13Q which was modified by the “watchmaker’s watchmaker” Victorin Piguet to incorporate the calendar complications. Renowned casemaker, Emile Vichet S.A., was responsible for manufacturing cases for some of Patek Philippe’s most coveted references and the present watch is not an exception as the latter’s Poinçon de Maître key 9, also known as a collective responsibility mark is found beneath the reference and case number inside the caseback. Furthermore the caseback is stamped with London hallmarks confirming the "mile" base tachymeter scale on the dial. This reference 1518 has remained in an important private collection since its purchase at auction in 1981 and is returning back to the market 30 years later. ' The present lot does not only represent and exceptional example of Patek Philippe's unparalleled mechanical expertise but is also a landmark in horological design.