Important Modern and Vintage Timepieces

New York, Apr 25, 2012

LOT 385

PATEK PHILIPPE REF. 2438 PERPETUAL CALENDAR YELLOW GOLD Patek Philippe & Cie, Genève, No. 888100, case No. 687965, Ref. 2438-1. Made circa 1958. Extremely fine and rare, astronomic, center seconds, water-resistant, 18K yellow gold wristwatch with perpetual calendar, moon phases and an 18K yellow gold Patek Philippe buckle.

USD 200,000 - 300,000

EUR 150,000 - 230,000

Sold: USD 242,500

C. Two-body, solid, polished, screw down case back, concave bezel, fl uted lugs. D. Matte silver with applied yellow gold faceted baton indexes, subsidiary dial for the date at 6 combined with phases of the moon, apertures for the day and month. Yellow gold dauphine hands. M. 27-SC Q, stamped with the Seal of Geneva quality mark, rhodium plated, fausses côtes decoration, 18 jewels, straight-line lever escapement, cut bimetallic compensation balance adjusted to heat, cold, isochronism and fi ve positions, shock absorber, blued steel Breguet balance spring, swan-neck micrometer regulator. Dial, case and movement signed

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Image

Grading System
Grade:
Case: 2

Very good

Movement: 2*

Very good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense

Dial: 2-8-01

Very good

Slightly scratched

HANDS Original

Notes

Ref. 2438 Production of reference 2438 began in 1952 and ceased in 1963. Reference 2438 is similar in design to reference 2497, uses the same 27-SC Q caliber movement, but was designed with a water resistant case back. It is the only vintage perpetual calendar watch made by the fi rm to feature a screw back. Between references 2497 and 2438, a total number of only 179 examples were produced, making both models amongst the rarest perpetual calendar watches made by Patek Philippe. Both models are featured in "Patek Philippe Wristwatches", by Martin Huber and Alan Banbery, 1998, pages 285-287.