Bonhams To Sell Patek Philippe Watch From Tiffany & Co., One Of The Greatest Watches Ever Made

Phillipe watch from Tiffany & Co, one of only four such to appear at auction, will be sold.

Lot 146 by Patek Philippe is a very fine and important 18ct gold perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch with moon phases retailed by Tiffany & Co.

The names Tiffany and Patek Philippe have always been closely associated. Founded in 1837 by Charles Louis Tiffany, father of the famed designer Louis C. Tiffany, Tiffany & Co. is now known as one of the premier names in the jewellery and luxury goods market. The relationship between Charles Tiffany and Antoine Norbert de Patek commenced officially in 1854 and only three years after the reincorporation of the watch-making firm as Patek Philippe & Co. Patek Philippe wristwatches retailed and signed by Tiffany & Co. are highly prized by today’s collectors.

The watch has gold faceted baton hour markers, outer Arabic five minute divisions, apertures for day and month, three subsidiary dials for running seconds, 30 minute recording, moon phases and lunar calendar and a fitted Patek Philippe leather strap with 18ct gold Patek Philippe buckle, together with the original Tiffany & Co. box, case, dial and movement signed. It is estimated to sell for £200,000-300,000.

The reference 2499 was made over a period of 35 years and in four series with a total production of only 349 pieces. Introduced to the market in 1950 it is acknowledged to be one of the world’s greatest watch models ever made. According to our research, the present example is only the fourth, yellow gold third series example of a Ref:2499 retailed by Tiffany & Co. to appear at auction.

The present example is being offered by the original owner who purchased the watch at Tiffany & Co, 5th Avenue, New York in 1974 and it has only been worn for special occasions over the last 35 years. The watch also comes with the original Tiffany & Co. box, printed ‘Instructions for Setting the Chronograph’ dated 4th February 1974 and 18ct gold calendar setting tool.

Patek Philippe. A very fine and important 18ct gold perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch with moon phases retailed by Tiffany & Co.

Ref:2499, Third Series, Movement No.869453, Case No.2700405, Sold by Tiffany & Co. New York in 1974
23-jewel Cal:13’’’ nickel-finished lever movement stamped twice with the Geneva seal, silvered dial with applied gold faceted baton hour markers, outer Arabic five minute divisions, apertures for day and month, three subsidiary dials for running seconds, 30 minute recording, moon phases and lunar calendar, dauphine hands, polished and brushed circular case with snap on back, down turned lugs, fitted Patek Philippe leather strap with 18ct gold Patek Philippe buckle, together with the original Tiffany & Co. box, case, dial and movement signed. 38mm. Estimate: £200,000 - 300,000

Note: The reference 2499 was made over a period of 35 years and in four series with a total production of only 349 pieces. Introduced to the market in 1950 it is acknowledged to be one of the world’s greatest watch models ever made. According to our research, the present example is only the fourth, yellow gold third series example of a Ref:2499 retailed by Tiffany & Co. to appear at auction.

The present example is being offered by the original owner who purchased the watch at Tiffany & Co, 5th Avenue, New York in 1974 and it has only been worn for special occasions over the last 35 years. The watch also comes with the original Tiffany & Co. box, printed ‘Instructions for Setting the Chronograph’ dated 4th February 1974 and 18ct gold calendar setting tool.

The reference 2499 is divided into the following four series:

- first series: square chronograph buttons, applied Arabic numerals and tachymetre scale
- second series: round chronograph buttons, either applied baton or applied Arabic numerals and tachymetre scale
- third series: round chronograph buttons, applied baton hour markers and outer seconds divisions
- fourth series: round chronograph buttons, applied baton hour markers, outer seconds divisions and sapphire crystal

Tiffany & Co.
The names Tiffany and Patek Philippe have always been closely associated. Founded in 1837 by Charles Louis Tiffany, father of the famed designer Louis C. Tiffany, Tiffany & Co. is now known as one of the premier names in the jewellery and luxury goods market. The relationship between Charles Tiffany and Antoine Norbert de Patek commenced officially in 1854 and only three years after the reincorporation of the watch making firm as Patek Philippe & Co.

Patek Philippe wristwatches retailed and signed by Tiffany & Co. are highly prized by today’s collectors.

Bonhams. Fine Watches & Wristwatches, 10 Jun 2009. New Bond Street www.bonhams.com