Ref. 1518A superb, very scarce and incredibly sought-after yellow gold perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch with moonphases
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, Ref. 1518
A superb, very scarce and incredibly sought-after yellow gold perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch with moonphases, 1951
35mm Diameter
Case, dial and movement signed Condition Report
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Manufacturer
:
Patek Philippe
Year
:
1951
Reference No
:
1518
Movement No
:
868'109
Case No
:
674'135
Material
:
18k yellow gold
Calibre
:
Manual, cal. 13''', 23 jewels
Bracelet/Strap
:
Leather
Clasp/Buckle
:
18K yellow gold Patek Philippe buckle
Dimensions
:
35mm Diameter
Signed
:
Case, dial and movement signed
Accessories
:
Accompanied by Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch in 1951 with silvered dial and its subsequent sale on October 16, 1954.
Provenance
:
Sotheby's Geneva 18 Nov 1997, lot 256.
Provenance
Sotheby's Geneva 18 Nov 1997, lot 256.
Catalogue Essay
Patek Philippe’s reference 1518 is a monumental piece in absolutely every sense. It was not only the world’s first perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch made in series launched in 1941 but it also set out the blueprint for all subsequent Patek Philippe watches with this complication but for other brands as well.
The 1518 in its own manner greatly contributed to the manufacturer's dominant position in the watchmaking industry. Consider for example that no other company achieved a serial production of similarly complicated pieces until the 1980s. Its successors are references 2499, 3970, 5970 and finally 5270, which features an in-house movement - this makes the present line of watches the only one with ongoing production at Patek Philippe since the 1940s.
According to research, only 281 examples were manufactured, it is believed that 215 examples were encased in yellow gold with 58 examples made in pink gold and 4 known in steel.
The present watch impresses by its superb state of preservation, the case is strong with nice thick lugs, and two strong and crisp hallmarks, one under the lug and one on the side of the case.
The silver dial is devoid of tarnish or intervention, it boasts absolutely unmolested and vibrant graphics - without losses or fading - and furthermore sports very sharp edges to the day/month windows and moon phase aperture.
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Artist Biography
Patek Philippe
Swiss
• 1839
Since its founding in 1839, this famous Geneva-based firm has been surprising its clientele with superbly crafted timepieces fitted with watchmaking's most prestigious complications. Traditional and conservative designs are found across Patek Philippe's watches made throughout their history — the utmost in understated elegance.
Well-known for the Graves Supercomplication — a highly complicated pocket watch that was the world’s most complicated watch for 50 years — this family-owned brand has earned a reputation of excellence around the world. Patek's complicated vintage watches hold the highest number of world records for results achieved at auction compared with any other brand. For collectors, key models include the reference 1518, the world's first serially produced perpetual calendar chronograph, and its successor, the reference 2499. Other famous models include perpetual calendars such as the ref. 1526, ref. 3448 and 3450, chronographs such as the reference 130, 530 and 1463, as well as reference 1436 and 1563 split seconds chronographs. Patek is also well-known for their classically styled, time-only "Calatrava" dress watches, and the "Nautilus," an iconic luxury sports watch first introduced in 1976 as the reference 3700 that is still in production today.
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Ref. 1518
A superb, very scarce and incredibly sought-after yellow gold perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch with moonphases
