PATEK PHILIPPE | CARRÉ-TORTUE, REF. 2488 YELLOW GOLD SQUARE WRISTWATCH MADE IN 1952

The square-cased Patek Philippe reference 2488 was released in 1950 and produced for slightly over 10 years. The reference was available in yellow, pink and white gold in addition to platinum.

The "Carré-tortue" (squared turtle) derives from the Wenger-made case's aesthetical codes. The watch is powered by the great caliber 10 200, a true masterpiece from the 1950s.

The present yellow gold example was manufactured in 1952. It bears the typical Stern Frères dial with thin gold baton indexes and hands. In typical Patek fashion for the period, the signature and small seconds track are hard enamelled. The watch is coherently fitted with an unsigned crown as the Calatrava-decorated ones are observed on models dated 1959-onwards.

Offered with its Extract from the Archives confirming 1952 as the year of manufacture and a sale date on November 20 the same year, this rare example stands as one of the approximately 300 produced pieces, with barely 10% of them finding their way back to the market.