Patek Philippe

Patek Philippe

Reference 2497, The last example made

A yellow gold perpetual calendar wristwatch with moon phases, Made in 1963

Dial: silvered

Calibre: cal. 27 SC Q mechanical, 23 jewels

Movement number: 888'178

Case: 18k yellow gold, snap on case back

Case number: 696'479

Closure: brown Patek Philippe alligator strap and 18k yellow gold buckle

Size: 37 mm diameter

Signed: case, dial and movement

Accessories: Patek Philippe Certificate of Origin and Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch in 1963 and its subsequent sale on 19 September 1963

Introduced in 1951, the Patek Philippe Reference 2497 holds a distinguished position in the evolution of watchmaking. Regarded as one of the manufacture’s earliest serially produced perpetual calendar wristwatches featuring a centre seconds display, it exemplifies the harmonious blend of technical innovation and understated elegance that characterized Patek Philippe’s creations of the mid-20th century.

Bearing movement number 888’178, the present watch is not merely one of the 179 examples produced across References 2497 and 2438-1, but in fact the very last example completed within the reference. With movement numbers allocated consecutively from 888’000 through 888’178, this example stands as the final chapter of one of Patek Philippe's most revered perpetual calendar references. Its position at the absolute end of production grants it exceptional historical significance, representing the closing expression of the calibre 27 SC Q before the arrival of the revolutionary self-winding Reference 3448 in 1962.

Interestingly, the Reference 3448 had already been in production for more than a year when the present watch was sold. The contemporary dial configuration of this Reference 2497, distinguished by its applied baton hour markers and dauphine hands, underscores its transitional character, bridging the classical perpetual calendar wristwatches of the 1950s with the more modern aesthetic that would define Patek Philippe's automatic perpetual calendar references of the 1960s.

The present example is further distinguished by its Wenger case, identifiable by the Geneva master case maker’s key number 1, a hallmark of the exceptional craftsmanship supplied by one of Geneva’s most esteemed case makers of the period. Notably, the earliest production of the reference, comprising approximately the first 40 to 50 watches, was cased by Vichet and featured a flat case back. As production evolved, Patek Philippe transitioned to Wenger-made cases with a characteristic fond bombé (convex case back), lending the model its distinctive profile and reinforcing its reputation for both technical and aesthetic sophistication.

The watch has been preserved in very nice condition and still retains its original certificate.