Heritage Auctions May 1st 2018 : Tiffany-Signed Patek Philippe Calatrava ref. 2526 in Platinum Sells For $642,500

2018 May 1 Watches & Fine Timepieces Signature Auction - New York #5363

Tiffany-Signed Patek Philippe Calatrava ref. 2526 in Platinum Sells For $642,500

Patek Philippe, Ref. 2526P, Highly Important And Rare Calatrava with First Series Enamel Dial, Retailed by "Tiffany & Co", Circa 1954
Case: 35.5 mm , platinum, heavy screw down case back, rounded bezel, concave lugs, platinum double "P" original crown, case back engraved "Platinum 10% Irid." No. 679740
Dial: Dual signature first series enamel, applied baton indexes, subsidiary seconds, yellow gold Dauphine hands, gold lettering
Movement: Patek Philippe caliber 12-600 AT, 30 jewels, 18k gold rotor, HOX mark on the balance bridge, adjusted to heat, cold, isochronism and five positions, stamped with Geneva quality mark, self compensating Breguet balance spring, shock absorber, No. 761081,
Band: Original Tiffany & Co. platinum band, platinum deployant clasp signed "Plat. C&B Tiffany & Co.", yellow gold interior folding hinge, adjustable to 7 3/4 inches
Signed: Patek Philippe on case, dial, movement. Tiffany & Co on dial, and bracelet

Launched in 1953, the Ref. 2526 houses Patek Philippe's first ever self-winding caliber 12-600AT. Widely considered the finest automatic movement ever made, from any period, its perfection is combined by its rarity, as it was only produced for 8 years over a handful of references. Amongst those references, Ref. 2526 is perhaps the most desirable and collectible due to its contemporary sizing, rare aesthetic variations, and low production. Current research shows that fewer than 600 examples were produced in all precious metals combined, with Platinum representing 20 of those watches over all dial variations.

Prior to the discovery of this Ref: 2526P, there were only five known examples of platinum 2526 watches which featured enameled dials, with this exceptional watch being the only known example of a 2526 enamel dial with both the Patek Philippe and Tiffany & Co. signatures. In addition to its first series dual signature Enamel dial, its original platinum Tiffany & Co bracelet also accompanies this timepiece, which is still at full length from when purchased new. It is within these details that makes this timepiece quite possibly the rarest Patek Philippe Ref. 2526 ever to be offered at auction.

Fresh to the market and presented without cosmetic alterations to the dial, case, crystal or original platinum bracelet. Heritage is proud to present this highly important timepiece to the collector's community.

This timepiece includes its Extract from the Archives, stating date of manufacture as 1954, and date of sale September 29, 1955.

Condition Report*:

Type: Patek Philippe, Ref. 2526P, Highly Important And Rare Calatrava with First Series Enamel Dial, Retailed by "Tiffany & Co", Circa 1954 
Signed: Patek Philippe on dial, movement, case
Model: Ref 2526P Calatrava
Dial: Enamel, applied baton indexes
Hands; Gold dauphine hands
Metal: Platinum case and band
Gram Weight: 127.1
Case No: 679740
Case Info: Screw down case back
Case Width: 35.5 mm
Crystal: Acrylic
Watch Movement: Patek Philippe Cal. 12-600 AT, 30 jewels, 18k gold rotor, HOX mark on the balance bridge, adjusted to heat, cold, isochronism and five positions, stamped with Geneva Seal Hallmark, self compensating Breguet balance spring, shock absorber. No. 761081
Band: Tiffany platinum band, deployant clasp
Circa: 1954
Condition: Case with light scuffs on the top left lug, more prominent scuffs on the top right lug and bezel above 1 o'clock, dial is very good with no visible hairlines or crazing, crystal has some scratches, movement is good and running, factory service is recommended at the buyer's expense, bracelet and clasp are good overall