Patek Philippe 2497

Ref. 2497An extremely fine and rare gold perpetual calendar wristwatch with sweep centre seconds and moon phase

Manufacturer: Patek Philippe Year: 1954 Reference No: 2497 Movement No: 888'076 Case No: 683'315 Model Name: 'Secondi al Centro' Material: 18k gold Calibre: Manual, cal. 27SC Q, 18 jewels, stamped twice with the Geneva Seal Bracelet/Strap: Black Patek Philippe crocodile strap Clasp/Buckle: Associated gilt buckle Dimensions: 37mm diameter Signed: Case, dial and movement signed Accessories: With Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch in 1956 and its subsequent sale on May 25, 1956. Two of the most appreciated Patek Philippe vintage models are the perpetual calendar chronographs ref. 1518 and 2499. However, alongside these two iconic models, Patek Philippe also released non-chronograph versions of the timepieces: reference 1526 and the present reference 2497 (and its waterproof twin 2438/1), featuring case and dial designs very closely resembling their chronograph counterparts. Reference 2497 is in fact one of the rarest vintage perpetual calendar models made by Patek Philippe. It is distinguished by the sweep centre seconds, the only vintage perpetual calendar made by the brand to feature this detail. The uniqueness of this detail earned its Italian nickname "Secondi al Centro". In order to achieve this, Patek Philippe modified a batch of their exquisite calibre 27SC which is counted among the greatest movements of the past century, (SC standing in fact for Seconde au Centre)and was later renamed to 27SC Q - Q for quantième: perpetual. An analysis of the movement numbers highlights how Patek Philippe itself had very strong feelings for the reference: a unique case for the Maison's vintage perpetual calendars, all the movement numbers for reference 2497 and 2438/1 are sequential: 180 calibre 27SC were upgraded, with movement numbers between 888'000 and 888'179. About 115 of these were used for reference 2497, the remaining for ref. 2438/1, thus effectively making these two models the scarcest vintage perpetual calendars serially produced by Patek Philippe. The dial as well could be considered as a masterpiece of design. Since the 1920s, Patek Philippe followed the Bauhaus dictate of "form follows function", and the dial of reference 2497 is without a doubt one of its most successful application. The wealth of information of the calendar is arranged in an extremely clean and readable way. The fifth of a second combined with Arabic five minutes divisions - typical of pieces from earlier decades - are present, but the elimination of the railway-style and tachymetre scale grants the ensemble more levity. The present watch - absent from the auction scene for nearly 20 years, having last been publicly seen in 1998 - is a rare occasion for the discerning collector to acquire one of the rarest, attractive and refined Patek Philippe timepieces from the past century.