Introduced in 1941 with reference 1518, the perpetual calendar chronograph is a useful complication that meets the expectations of wealthy users. The great success of this combination continued up to current day with new references among which the 2499 lasted 34 years from 1951 to 1985. The later references are 3970, 5970 and 5270.
The piece that comes for sale is a watch from the third series of the model 2499 for which an advance was made in the elegance of the dial, with the marks of the seconds pushed away to the periphery. With this series the baton marks sometimes applied on the previous series for the hours are systematically replacing the Arabic numerals.
This watch features a variant in the dial which is exceptionally rare including a simplification of the batons plus pretty arrows at 3, 5, 7 and 9 o'clock where the full length of the baton should come in conflict with the position of the sub-dials.
It is one of only six known in pink gold from the third series. The pink gold is particularly sought after by collectors of this model. Reminding two prices for the first series : CHF 3.2M including premium by Antiquorum in October 2002 (at that time the Swiss franc was less expensive than today) and CHF 2.63M including premium by Christie's on November 9, 2014.
Made in 1971 the watch for the next sale has been preserved for almost half a century in a sensational mint condition.
SOLD for CHF 2.8M including premium
Easy to praise, harder to get. The rose gold Patek Philippe Ref. 2499. Available in the #GWA6 sale this month: https://t.co/N9r5FYF8yb pic.twitter.com/anwyLspHPt
— PHILLIPS Watches (@phillipswatches) November 2, 2017