Patek Philippe
Grande Calatrava Waterproof, Reference 2509 | A stainless steel wristwatch | Made in 1944
Auction Closed
May 10, 02:36 PM GMT
Estimate
30,000 - 60,000 CHF
Lot Details
Description
Dial: silvered
Calibre: cal. 12-120 PS manual winding, 18 jewels
Movement number: 926'184
Case: stainless steel, screw-down case back
Case number: 2'605'632
Closure: 18k white gold Patek Philippe buckle
Size: 35 mm diameter
Signed: case, dial and movement
Box: yes
Papers: no
Accessories: Patek Philippe copy of the Extract from the Archives confirming date of sale on March 28, 1949 and presentation box
Please note the leather strap derived from endangered species is for display purposes only and is not sold with the watch. The watch will be shipped with a Sotheby’s branded calf leather strap.
The reference 2509 is also known as 'Grande Calatrava Waterproof' and was launched in 1950 alongside its sister reference 2508. The two differ by having either sweep seconds or subsidiary seconds such as the present watch.
Introduced during a period when Patek Philippe emphasized both aesthetical and technical refinement, the reference 2509 was notable for its robust waterproof case crafted by Taubert & Fils, marked by Geneva Key 11 on the inside case back, a notable maker that spearheaded modern case making and that was famous for their screw down case back designs.
The very vast majority, about 90%, of the 2509 were cased in yellow or pink gold. Only 20 watches from that reference are known to have been housed in a stainless steel case, making this lot extremely sought-after.