The only known reference Patek Philippe 1518 double-signed & certified by Cartier

From a remarkable collection comes a most remarkable timepiece. For the first time at auction, the only known example of a Patek Philippe reference 1518 perpetual calendar chronograph, Patek Philippe’s most symbolic of complications, signed, numbered and certified by one of the world’s most aristocratic jewellers – Cartier. This watch will be presented at The Rare Watches auction, a live auction to be held by Christie’s on November 7^th, 2022, at the Hotel des Bergues in Geneva.

Rémi Guillemin, Head of Watches Christie’s Geneva, says: “A timepiece that so uniquely combines beauty with horological mastery, exceptional provenance with exquisite rarity, two legendary signatures of luxury and watchmaking…  for a collector, it is a once-in-a-lifetime alignment of the stars. This Patek Philippe ref. 1518, double-signed by Cartier and certified by Cartier, is the only known example of this highly exclusive combination, and never before has been offered at auction. The 1518 is the earliest Patek Philippe perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch to have been serially produced. In fact, it is the first series-produced perpetual chronograph wristwatch by any manufacturer, ever – which also makes the ref. 1518, and this one in particular, also the rarest.”

Patek Philippe ref. 1518 Perpetual Calendar Chronograph
Estimate: CHF1,500,000-2,500,000 | US$1,600,000-2,600,000 |€1,600,000-2,600,000

An extremely fine, highly important and most probably unique Patek Philippe 18k gold perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch manufactured in 1944. It is the only known reference 1518 double-signed and certified by Cartier.

As such, it is of historic significance and naturally, one of the ultimate and most exclusive trophy watches of the reference. Besides the eye-catching signature ‘Cartier’ on the dial below the moon phase, an equally fascinating feature is Cartier’s hand-stamped five-digit reference no. 17544 underneath the upper left lug.

The rarest hallmark complication

Reference 1518 is not only the earliest Patek Philippe perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch serially produced; it is the first produced by any manufacturer, ever. And ref. 1518 is the rarest. This particular combination of complications confirmed Patek Philippe’s pre-eminent position as the greatest watch brand in the world. A reputation upheld to this day. Indeed, these technically remarkable timepieces, so closely linked to the fortunes of the company over the last 80 years, have become icons of ‘golden age’ mid-20^th century design.

Only 281 were produced – in yellow and pink gold, as well as a few examples in steel – between 1941 to 1954. Its scarcity frustrated dozens of clients, as it was reserved for the most prominent Patek Philippe patrons such as Henry Graves Jr, the King of Jordan and the King of Egypt.

The unique Patek Philippe ref. 1518 perpetual calendar chronograph will be presented at Christie’s Rare Watches, a live auction on November 7^th, 2022, at the Hotel des Bergues in Geneva.

About Christie’s
Founded in 1766,  Christie’s is a world-leading art and luxury business. Renowned and trusted for its expert live and online auctions, as well as its bespoke private sales, Christie’s offers a full portfolio of  global services to its clients, including art appraisal, art financing, international real estate and education. Christie’s has a physical presence in 46 countries, throughout the Americas, Europe, Middle East, and Asia Pacific, with flagship  international sales hubs in New York, London, Hong Kong, Paris and Geneva. It also is the only international auction house authorized to hold sales in mainland China (Shanghai).
Christie’s  auctions span more than  80 art and luxury categories, at price points ranging from $200 to over $100 million. In recent years, Christie’s has achieved the world record price for an artwork at auction ( Leonardo da Vinci’s Salvator Mundi, 2017), for a 20th century artwork ( Andy Warhol’s Shot Sage Blue Marilyn, 2022) and for a work by a living artist ( Jeff Koons’ Rabbit, 2019). Christie’s is also recognised as a reference for prestigious single owner collections, having auctioned 8 of the 10 most important collections in history.
Christie’s  Private Sales offers a seamless service for buying and selling art, jewellery and watches outside of the auction calendar, working exclusively with Christie’s specialists at a client’s individual pace.
Recent innovations at Christie’s include groundbreaking sale of the first NFT for a digital work of art ever offered at a major auction house ( Beeple’s Everydays, March 2021), with the unprecedented acceptance of cryptocurrency as a means of payment. As an industry leader in digital innovation, Christie’s also continues to pioneer new technologies that are redefining the business of art, including the use of hologram technology to tour life-size 3D objects around the world, and the creation of viewing and bidding experiences that integrate augmented reality, global livestreaming, buy-now channels, and hybrid sales formats.
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*Please note when quoting estimates above that other fees will apply in addition to the hammer price – see Section D of the Conditions of Sale at the back of the sale catalogue.
*Estimates do not include buyer’s premium. Sales totals are hammer price plus buyer’s premium and are reported net of applicable fees.

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