On November 12th and 13th, Phillips Watches will be conducting auction FOUR in Geneva, Switzerland. What makes this auction extra special is one of the watches up for sale. It is a Patek Philippe Reference 1518 in stainless steel.
Why is the Reference 1518 revered? It was the first perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch ever manufactured in series by any brand. The dial layout is iconic, and is used as a de-facto layout for perpetual calendars. The latest perpetual calendar chronograph by Patek Philippe: the Ref. 5270 still follows this formula, as do many other brands.
The Ref. 1518 was launched in 1941 and made till 1954. The model was replaced by the Ref. 2499 also a perpetual calendar chronograph, but with a wider diameter and fluted lugs.
For collectors, a lifelong dream is to own any example of this reference, of which a total of 281 were made – the vast majority in yellow gold. Far rarer are examples in pink gold, owned by a fortunate few who consider them a trophy watch in their collections.
The Patek Philippe Ref 1518 offered by Phillips in November is one of four known stainless steel Ref 1518s to exist. This is the first time this timepiece has come up for auction and has previously been held in private collections exclusively.
The three other examples remain in some of the world’s most important private collections, making this particular reference 1518 in steel a unique opportunity for anyone in the world to discover and admire this legendary timepiece.
The Patek Philippe Reference 1518 in stainless steel coming up for auction at Phillips Watches Geneva FOUR auction.
At the rostrum will be the auction maestro Aurel Bacs. He states:
“Throughout my career, I have been longing for the day when I would be entrusted with the sale of a Patek Philippe reference 1518 in steel. Many collectors have also long awaited this occasion, which for sure will be a day to remember in Geneva.”
The estimate on the Ref 1518 in stainless steel is in excess of US$ 3 Million and we have a feeling it will surpass the estimate by some distance considering the rarity of the piece. Previous Ref. 1518 have set records. A pink gold version with a heavy Gay Frères bracelet from 1948 which sold for SFr 1,445,000 / US$ 1,551,511 in the Phillips auction of 10 May 2015 in Geneva. And earlier in a Christie’s auction on 14 November 2011, a pink gold version manufactured in 1950 achieved CHF 903,000 / US$ 1,005,913.
For more information please visit Phillips Watches
2 Comments
If it was a mythical Patek, it would not exist. This appears to be a very real watch. Just saying…