Beschreibung:

Patek Philippe Ref. 2499
Manufacturer: Patek Philippe Year: 1960 Reference No: 2499 Movement No: 868'755 Case No: 2'621'543 Material: 18K yellow gold Calibre: Manual, cal. 13''', 23 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Leather. Further accompanied by a 18k yellow gold woven bracelet signed Tiffany & Co. Clasp/Buckle: 18k yellow gold Patek Philippe pin buckle Dimensions: 37.5mm. Diameter Signed: Case, dial and movement signed Accessories: Accompanied by a 18k yellow gold woven bracelet signed Tiffany & Co., a Patek Philippe presentation box with outer packaging and an Extract from the Archives confirming date of production of the present watch in 1960 and its subsequent sale on March 11th, 1968. Literature: Reference 2499 is illustrated in Patek Philippe Wristwatches by Martin Huber & Alan Banbery, second edition, pp. 302 & 304, and in Patek Philippe Museum - Patek Philippe Watches, Volume II, pp. 306-307. Catalogue Essay There are times when a particular complication is associated immediately with a brand. The perpetual calendar chronograph is unmistakably part of Patek Philippe’s genetic code, a complication for which Patek Philippe set the benchmark and of which is the undisputed leader. To fully understand this interlink, one must go back to the reference 1518 from 1941 when Patek Philippe launched its first perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch, which also happened to be the world’s first perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch made in series. Reference 2499 replaced reference 1518 in 1951 and was made for a period of 34 years, until 1985, in four different series. A total of 349 pieces were made, making this a highly exclusive reference in the company’s history. - First series: Square chronograph buttons, applied Arabic numerals and tachometer scale. - Second series: Round chronograph buttons, either applied baton or applied Arabic numerals and tachometer scale, of which the present lot is an example. - Third series: Round chronograph buttons, applied baton numerals and outer seconds divisions. - Fourth series: Round chronograph buttons, applied baton numerals, outer seconds divisions and sapphire crystal. Interestingly, Patek Philippe chose Vichet to make the brand new reference 2499, but then, shortly after, switched to Wenger. The Vichet cases are known to have more pronounced and elongated lugs than those produced by Wenger. Also, the early Vichet cases have flat domed casebacks, resulting in the watches resting on their four lugs when put flat on a table, like a contemporary work of art. The dial of the present lot displays the signature of the prestigious Patek Philippe retailer Tiffany & Co. Only two reference 2499 second series with Tiffany & Co. signature are known, one with Arabic numerals (sold by Phillips, De Pury & Luxembourg on May 13, 2002 which has remained ever since in an important private collection) and the other, the present lot, with baton indexes, making this timepiece even more covetable. The dials of the two reference 2499 second series with Tiffany & Co. signature are quite different . The model with the Arabic numerals features the Tiffany & Co signature above the day and month windows with the brand name printed below said windows. Furthermore, the moonphase display is circled and there is no “Swiss” indication. With the present lot, other than the baton indexes, the Tiffany & Co signature is printed right beneath the moonphase display which is not circled. Two gold “pearls” are placed at the 5 o’clock and 7 o’clock positions and the dial further has “Swiss” printed under the retailer’s signature. These elements lead us to believe that the dial may well have been a special order. The period correct heavy weaved yellow gold bracelet is signed Tiffany &Co. on the clasp and furthermore, the balance bridge is stamped ‘HOX’, indicating that the watch was destined for the American market. There are collectible wristwatches, then there are watches woven from the fabric of dreams, and the present reference 2499 is of the latter. The l