Patek Philippe

Sotheby's, New York, December 4 1988, The Andy Warhol Collection, Jewelry and Watches, Part II, lot 244

Patek Philippe introduced their first model featuring the legendary caliber 12'''600 AT self-winding movement, in 1953. The reference 2526 would become an international success and can be found in all precious metals with or without bracelets, and in various dial configurations. The present lot is cased in pink gold and fitted with an eggshell color enamel dial further enhanced by the exclusive Serpico Y Laino signature, who was Patek Philippe’s exclusive retailer in Caracas, Venezuela.

Enamel dials are, to this day, used sparingly because it is delicate, costly, and difficult to produce –however, Patek chose to use enamel on the reference 2526 for a different reason; it was meant to last forever since enamel dials are not susceptible to the oxidation and moisture damage that can harm the finish of metal dials. Additionally, the dial on the present lot is known as a first series dial, which is distinguishable by the small dimples in the enamel surface that can be seen underneath the top and bottom of each baton hour marker. These early dials have these dimples since the hour markers are actually set into the dial themselves using pins while all later dials have hour markers glued to the solid enamel surface.

It was initially sold in the Andy Warhol Collection, Part II on December 4, 1988 when additional properties from the Estate were discovered after Sotheby’s had already sold his extension collection from Americana to Contemporary paintings in a 10-day extravaganza that took over the entire York Avenue galleries in April 1988. A compartment in the bottom drawer of his cabinet was uncovered and filled with unmounted gemstones, designer jewelry and watches while dismantling filing cabinets from his townhouse. Almost 100 watches were sold in that sale including pieces from Patek Philippe, Rolex, Cartier and other distinguished watchmakers. Warhol was constantly thought of as both an artist and visionary, but the Sotheby’s sales of his personal belongings showed another side of the man: the collector. The sales gave the world a view into the type of curator Andy Warhol was. Warhol owned two models of the 2526, one cased in yellow gold with Breguet numerals and the current lot cased in pink gold double signed Serpico Y Laino. Consigned by the purchaser who bought it in the 1988 Part II sale, we are pleased to offer this watch for the second time at Sotheby’s.