Patek Philippe

Patek Philippe

Reference 2499

A possibly unique and highly important pink gold perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch with moon phases, Retailed by Trucchi, Made in 1971

Dial: silvered

Calibre: cal. 13-130 mechanical, 23 jewels

Movement number: 869'437

Case: 18k pink gold, snap on case back

Case number: 2'637'712

Closure: brown Attila leather strap and 18k pink gold Patek Philippe buckle

Size: 37 mm diameter

Signed: case, dial and movement, dial further signed by retailer

Accessories: Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch in 1971 and its subsequent sale on September 25 1972

Launched in 1950 and discontinued in 1985, reference 2499 is arguably the most coveted vintage Patek Philippe on the market and even considered the most collectable vintage wristwatch, period.

There are 349 pieces made, the majority of which are cased in yellow gold. There exist close to two dozen pieces in pink gold and two known examples made in platinum.

The reference evolved over the years giving collectors a way to distinguish these variations into 4 different series. The first and rarest are the 1^st series with square chronograph pushers and a dial fitted with a tachometer scale. The next evolution is when the firm upgraded the reference with new chronograph buttons and instead of square, they became round, giving the case more water-resistance, the dial still proudly displayed its tachometer scale. In 1960, Patek Philippe again revised the production, keeping the round chronograph buttons but removing the tachometer scale from the dial. This is known as the third series. Finally, in 1978, the fourth and final series, the reference was updated with a sapphire crystal.

Today, the reference is so sought-after that collectors treat these evolutions or series as their own independent references. Therefore, a dream is to have a 2499 from each series, not just a single reference 2499. We can then go a step further and a league above owning each series 2499, is to have an example cased in pink gold. There are only 7 first series examples cased in pink gold, 9 second series and only 6 examples known of a pink third series, a total of 22 watches. If we consider the present example, this brings the total of known pink examples to only 23 watches made in the span of 35 years.

If we look closer at the present example, it does not fit into one of these categories. Yes, it is a reference 2499, it is rendered in pink gold and the watch is retailed by Trucchi. Only three other pink 2499 have retail signatures on the dial of all the 23 pink examples known. The first series with Freccero, second series Gobbi Milano and the third series Tiffany. What elevates the present watch above all other pink 2499, without considering its unique double signature is that it is fitted with a sapphire crystal. Making it a not only a unique example but also unique in its appearance as well.

The watch was born in 1965 and sold to Trucchi in 1972, making it a third series. We can hypothesize to explain why the watch is fitted with a sapphire crystal. It remained in Trucchi’s stock and finally sold after the 4^th series was introduced or the watch was sold and then updated to a fourth series by Patek Philippe.

The watch first appeared on the market at Antiquorum April 24^th, 1999, and sold for a record breaking 672,850 Swiss Francs. The watch then appeared for a second time at Philips in Geneva twenty years later and made 1,580,000 Swiss Francs or close to 1.8m USD today.

Preserved in exceptional condition, this 2499 would stand out immediately as one of the best-preserved examples. Incredibly thick, fluted lugs, a very strong hallmark between the lugs and beautifully raised hard enamel signature. The watch is outstanding, and Sotheby’s is delighted to have been entrusted with its preservation and passing it to its next owner.