Bonhams 1793 : Patek Philippe. A fine and rare 18K gold chronograph wristwatch with perpetual calendar and moon phasesRef:2499 / 100, Case no. 2779166, Movement no. 869405, sold 1980

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12 Jun 2012 13:00 EDT New York
Fine Watches and Wristwatches
Back to auction 20003

Patek Philippe. A fine and rare 18K gold chronograph wristwatch with perpetual calendar and moon phases

Ref:2499 / 100, Case no. 2779166, Movement no. 869405, sold 1980
23-jewel Cal. 13'"– Q movement with chronograph work planted on the bridges, adjusted to temperature, position and isochronism, monometallic balance with overcoiled spring and micrometer regulator, Seal of Geneva, circular silvered dial with fifth seconds ring enclosing polished gold baton numerals, subsidiary dials for continuous seconds and 30-minute register, date ring with aperture for phase of the moon, apertures for day and month, tapered gold hands, blued sweep hand, polished gold case with brushed snap on back, concave bezel with sapphire crystal, down turned lugs, two round chronograph buttons in the case band, maker's leather strap and 18K gold buckle, case, dial and movement signed, accompanied by a fitted box, calendar setting pin, instruction manual. 38mm

Estimate:

US$ 350,000 - 400,000
£230,000 - 260,000
€270,000 - 310,000

Footnotes

Accompanied by an Extract from the Patek Philippe Archives confirming the manufacture of the watch and its sale on October 15, 1980.

The Patek Philippe perpetual calendar chronograph, reference 2499, replaced the earlier, smaller, ref.1518 in 1950 and remained in production until 1985 when it was replaced by the smaller diameter ref. 3970. The total production of this reference was only 349 watches.

- First series: From 1950 to circa 1959, square buttons, feuille hands, applied Arabic numerals.
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- Second series: Square buttons, dauphine hands, applied indexes, Arabic 12.

-Third series: From 1960 to 1978, round buttons, dauphine or feuille hands, applied baton indexes.

-Fourth series: From 1978 to 1985, becomes Ref. 2499/100, uses updated Caliber 13''' CCR, round buttons, sapphire crystal, dauphine hands, applied baton indexes.

Perpetual chronograph wristwatches have been continuously produced by Patek Philippe for 70 years since the introduction of reference 1518.
Ref 1518 from 1941 until 1952 produced in 281 examples
Ref 2499 from 1950 until 1985 produced in 349 examples
Ref 3970 from 1986 until 2005 produced in approximately 4,000 examples
Ref 5970 from 2005 until 2010 produced in approximately 2,500 examples
Ref 5270 from 2011

The present lot is one of the latest examples of the famous 2499/100. It has all the characteristics of this legendary watch with some of the latest modern improvements such as a sapphire glass. The case is unmolested and the dial remains very crisp. Hallmarks are very deep without any trace of polishing, the pushers are in excellent condition.