Christie’s, 17 June 2015 – my picks

Christie’s sale of 17 June offered several superb Patek Philippe timepieces. These were my five picks.

Reference 2508, stainless steel

A rare 2508 with centre seconds, first series, in stainless steel and in excellent condition, as described in the catalogue. It was only the fifteenth publicly known steel 2508. Lot 44, estimate $20,000–40,000.

Reference 530, yellow gold

A beautiful example of the 530 chronograph in yellow gold with tachymeter dial. It had already been sold once at Christie’s, eleven years earlier, for 216,600 CHF. Lot 46, estimate $100,000–200,000.

References 1518 and 2499, yellow gold

Two legends of the house. If I had to choose between the 1518 and a third-series 2499, I would always take the 1518. It was the first chronograph with perpetual calendar, and it has the stronger pull for me. This one was in yellow gold with a tachymeter dial in miles, and it was the first public appearance since 1987. Lot 48, estimate $200,000–400,000.

The third-series 2499, also in yellow gold, belongs in any high-end collection. Lot 185, estimate $260,000–360,000.

Reference 1436, yellow gold

The 1436 split-seconds chronograph, in excellent condition according to the catalogue, with a Tiffany & Co. signed dial, a yellow gold case and fine provenance, fresh to the market. Lot 47, estimate $150,000–250,000.