Patek Philippe REFERENCE 1518 A YELLOW GOLD PERPETUAL CALENDAR CHRONOGRAPH WRISTWATCH WITH MOON PHASES, MADE IN 1947
Property of an important Private Collection
Patek Philippe
REFERENCE 1518
A YELLOW GOLD PERPETUAL CALENDAR CHRONOGRAPH WRISTWATCH WITH MOON PHASES, MADE IN 1947
Dial: silvered
Caliber: cal. 13-130 Q mechanical, 23 jewels
Movement number: 867'081
Case: 18k yellow gold, snap-on case back
Case number : 649'544
Size: 35 mm diameter
Signed: case, dial and movement
Accessories: Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming the date of sale on February 24, 1948 Patek Philippe Patek Philippe REFERENCE 1518 A YELLOW GOLD PERPETUAL CALENDAR CHRONOGRAPH WRISTWATCH WITH MOON PHASES, MADE IN 1947
REFERENCE 1518 A YELLOW GOLD PERPETUAL CALENDAR CHRONOGRAPH WRISTWATCH WITH MOON PHASES, MADE IN 1947
Restricted Species
Estimate:
150,000 - 250,000 USD Lot sold:
277,200
USD Property of an important Private Collection
Patek Philippe
REFERENCE 1518
A YELLOW GOLD PERPETUAL CALENDAR CHRONOGRAPH WRISTWATCH WITH MOON PHASES, MADE IN 1947
Dial: silvered
Caliber: cal. 13-130 Q mechanical, 23 jewels
Movement number: 867'081
Case: 18k yellow gold, snap-on case back
Case number : 649'544
Size: 35 mm diameter
Signed: case, dial and movement
Accessories: Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming the date of sale on February 24, 1948 Condition report
Case: The case is in overall good condition with previous light polish in our view. The gold mark behind the upper left lug is crisp and visible. It is thought that during a Patek Philippe service circa 1977, the case back was replaced with the current service back that retains the Patek Philippe signature, reference and case number.
Dial: The dial is in overall very good condition. The dial retains the long Patek Philippe signature with the comma after ‘Patek’, and the accent above the second 'e' in Geneve. The luminous hour dots were previously removed but have subsequently been sympathetically reinstated.
Movement: Perpetual calendar and chronograph functions operating. The movement is running at time of cataloging, however it was not tested for the accuracy of time or duration of the power reserve and may need service at the buyer's discretion. Please note that Sotheby's does not guarantee the future working of the movement.
The lot is sold in the condition it is in at the time of sale. The online condition report is provided to assist you with assessing the condition of the lot and is for guidance purposes only. The images of the lot also form part of the online condition report for the lot provided by Sotheby's. Any reference to condition in the online condition report does not amount to a full description of condition. The online condition report may make reference to particular imperfections of the lot but you should note that the lot may have other faults not expressly referred to in the online condition report of the lot or shown in the online images of the lot (for example, the online condition report may not specify mechanical replacements or imperfections to the movement, case, dial, pendulum, separate base(s) or dome). Watches in water-resistant cases have been opened to examine movements but no warranties are made that the watches are currently water-resistant. The online condition report may not refer to all faults, restoration, alteration or adaptation but rather the online condition report is a statement of subjective, qualified opinion (for example, information regarding colour, clarity and weight of gemstones are statements of opinion only and not statements of fact). Please also note that we do not guarantee the authenticity of any individual component parts, such as wheels, hands, crowns, crystals, screws, bracelets and wrist bands, since subsequent repairs and restoration work may have resulted in the replacement of original parts. In addition, certain images of the lot provided online may not accurately reflect the actual condition of the lot (for example, the online images may represent colours and shades which are different to the lot's actual colour and shades). For these reasons, the online condition report is not an alternative to taking your own professional advice regarding the condition of the lot. Prospective buyers should also refer to the Buying at Auction guide which includes important notices concerning the type of property in this sale. In particular, please note it is the purchaser's responsibility to comply with any applicable import and export matters, particularly in relation to lots incorporating materials from endangered species. Please be advised that wristbands made of materials derived from endangered or otherwise protected species (i.e. alligator and crocodile) are not sold with the watches and are for display purposes only. We reserve the right to remove these bands prior to shipping. NOTWITHSTANDING THIS ONLINE CONDITION REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE/BUSINESS APPLICABLE TO THE RESPECTIVE SALE. Christie's Geneva, 2016, lot 115 Sotheby's Geneva, 1993, lot 197 So much is known about the reference 1518 already and a torrent of information regarding its importance, both historical and horological, is available. It does, however, always bear repeating as this reference represents perhaps the most significant milestone in modern watchmaking history. The reference, simply on the merits of its complications, demands huge appreciation but, what is more, taking into consideration the time at which such a watch was produced (the midst of WWII) and how such a watch was manufactured, one cannot remain anything other than awe struck.
The reference forces the observer to ask a fascinating question: how a watch so complicated can be so astoundingly beautiful? The key to this? Simplicity. While seemingly counter intuitive creating something simple is an incredibly complex feat. It is one, nonetheless, that Patek seem to have perfected and few things are testament to this as much as the reference above.
The case, of which approximately 215 were made in yellow gold, manufactured by Emile Vichet, epitomizes minimalism. Square pushers adorn the band flanking prominently that also features its original oversized crown. Simple lugs and a solid service snap-on case back is combined with thin bezel which allows the dial clarity and dominance. The case proportions remain correct, with gold hallmark visible under the top left lug, and with tight pin holes.
This 1518 is in well preserved condition. The dial boasts its long Patek Philippe signature, a feature of the earlier 1518’s. At some point in its history it has received a gentle cleaning, but the comma between “Patek and Philippe”, and "è" above "Genève" are still visible, both that can be susceptible to over aggressing maintenance.
Accompanied by a Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch with silvered dial and raised gold hour markers in 1947 and its subsequent sale on 24 February 1948.
