Patek Philippe

First introduced in 1951, the Patek Philippe reference 2497 occupies a singular place in the history of wristwatch horology. Celebrated as one of the brand’s first serially produced perpetual calendar wristwatches with center seconds, it represents the seamless union of technical sophistication and aesthetic refinement that defines Patek Philippe’s mid-20th-century output.

The present example, cased in yellow gold, features a beautiful, silvered dial adorned with applied Arabic numerals complemented by delicate dot markers — a configuration highly prized by collectors for its clarity, legibility, and understated elegance.

The feuille hands sweep gracefully across the dial, while the central seconds hand emphasizes the harmony and symmetry of the design, echoing the meticulous proportions for which the reference 2497 is celebrated. Each numeral and marker are carefully applied, contributing to a dial that is both visually balanced and functionally precise.

This example is fitted with a Wenger case, distinguished from the Vichet cases by its shorter sculpted lugs and bombé caseback. Its clean lines and elegant proportions perfectly complement the dial and movement.

At the heart of this timepiece beats the legendary calibre 27 SC Q, a manually wound movement renowned for its reliability, precision, and technical innovation. The “27 SC” designation refers to the centre seconds (“SC”), while the “Q” stands for quantième perpétuel, The movement’s architecture allows for the seamless integration of the perpetual calendar functions, including day, date, month, and moonphase, all presented with a clarity that belies the complexity of the mechanism. Over decades, this calibre has proven to be one of Patek Philippe’s most enduring and celebrated movements, embodying both craftsmanship and mechanical ingenuity.

Produced in about 115 examples across all metals, the Patek Philippe Reference 2497 is one of the rarest perpetual calendars ever produced.