An extremely rare 18k white and yellow gold Patek Philippe gentleman's wristwatch.
Extremely fine and very rare rectangular men's wristwatch with domed mineral glass. Striped and guilloché dial. Sapphire indices in baguette and round cut. Blued baton hands. Brushed snap back. Straight extended lugs. Integrated, textured and size-adjustable bracelet with folding clasp. Tonneau-shaped hand-wound movement. Movement no. 977773, ref. 2554/2, cal. 9-90, case no. 2631990, double Geneva hallmark. 18 jewels. Case and cardboard box included. Dial, movement, case, crown, and clasp signed. The clasp signed "GF" for Gay Frères. Case 40 x 21.5 mm. L 19 cm. Weight 79.92 g.
Geneva, Switzerland, c.1965.
The reference 2554 is one of the most prized models by collectors of the world-famous Swiss manufacture Patek Philippe. The model before us was introduced in 1952 and was available in platinum as well as in yellow, rose and white gold. The present watch is one of the most interesting examples of this series. Completely crafted in 18-carat gold, with a well-preserved and solid yellow and white gold bracelet, the case is also in astonishingly good condition. The 18-carat bicolour gold dial with applied gold hour-markers set with four baguette-cut sapphires and eight round-cut sapphires is a rarity for a watch of this period and is therefore known by connoisseurs as the "Sapphire Dial". The calibre is the iconic hand-wound 9"-90, one of Patek Philippe's most cherished movements. This true collector's item will be auctioned including case and outer box.