Patek Philippe Vintage 2526 Calatrava Enamel Dial 1st Series 18K Yellow Gold c. 1954

More about Vintage 2526 Calatrava Enamel Dial 1st Series 18K Yellow Gold c. 1954

This is a vintage 1954 18K yellow gold Patek Philippe 2526. It has a water resistant, screw-down back, and a two-piece polished body, with an off-white porcelain enamel dial with applied yellow gold faceted baton indexes and dauphine hands. There is an auxiliary seconds sub-dial at 6 o'clock. It's only 11mm thick, stamped with the Seal of Geneva, with the movement, case, and dial signed. The Caliber 12-600AT movement has 30 jewels, a rhodium plated straight-line lever escapement, with a Gyromax balance adjusted for cold, heat, isochronism and five positions. There is a shock absorber, an 18K gold rotor, bi-directional winding, a self-compensating Breguet free-sprung balance spring, and a swan-neck micrometer regulator. The movement, case, and dial are signed. There is also the double "P" logo on the crown, replacing the famous Patek Calatrava crest. This Patek Philippe 2526 was only produced in 580 pieces, most commonly made in yellow gold, with a small series in pink gold, and only a few examples in white gold or platinum. In the 1950's most watches had metallic faces, and the fine porcelain dial that looked like ivory on this watch made it invitingly warm. This Patek Philippe 2526 was the company's first self-winding wristwatch. Initially introduced in 1952, it ushered in the era of the automatic. it's considered to be the finest time-only (no complications) wristwatch of that period. As a gentleman's watch it was wildly popular for years until it was discontinued in 1960, remaining timeless and the direct inspiration for many newer Patek models. This is the first and still one of the very finest automatic wristwatches ever made, and a mid-20th century hallmark.

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