Patek Philippe 2497

Ref. 2497A very rare and highly attractive yellow gold perpetual calendar wristwatch with moonphases and sweep center seconds

Manufacturer: Patek Philippe Year: 1955 Reference No: 2497 Movement No: 888'131 Case No: 696'494 Material: 18K yellow gold Calibre: Manual, cal. 27SC Q, 18 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Leather Clasp/Buckle: 18K yellow gold PPCo pin buckle Dimensions: 37mm. Diameter Signed: Case, dial and movement signed Accessories: Accompanied by Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present lot in 1955 and its subsequent sale on January 1, 1959. Literature: This reference is featured in "Patek Philippe Wristwatches" by M. Huber & A. Banbery, 2nd edition, pp. 285 & 287. In the Pantheon of iconic perpetual calendars, Patek Philippe’s reference 2497 takes an important position. Patek Philippe forged a new vision with this reference launched in 1951. The design of the reference 2497 with its taught lines and oversized case is both comfortably reassuring and of highly contemporary elegance. Reference 2497 was Patek Philippe’s first perpetual calendar wristwatch featuring centre seconds. Whereas examples from the first generation have Arabic and dot numerals, watches from the late production have facetted baton numerals like the present lot. Two makers provided the cases for the 2497. Those produced by Wenger, like the present lot, had slightly shorter lugs and a rounded caseback. Scholarship tells us that only some two dozen examples of the reference 2497 second series in yellow gold were produced of which only 17 are known today. The present lot in overall excellent condition with its highly attractive dial having turned a pleasing vanilla, would be a worthy addition for a distinguished collection of complicated vintage Patek Philippe watches.