Online-Katalog
11. März 2026 - Basel Watch Auction
The reference 2526 holds an absolutely pivotal place in Patek Philippe’s history and represents a watershed moment in luxury watchmaking. It is still today one of the most significant references in the manufacture’s entire
catalog. Introduced in 1953, the reference 2526 was indeed Patek Philippe’s first series-produced automatic wristwatch, marking the Geneva house’s entry into the self-winding era. This was a bold step for a manufacture that had built its reputation on manual winding complications and dress watches of extraordinary refinement. What makes the reference 2526 truly exceptional is precisely what we have highlighted – the combination of automatic movement with enamel dials. These fired enamel dials represent the pinnacle of dial-making artistry, requiring extraordinary skill to achieve their perfect, lustrous finish. The enamel work on these pieces demonstrates Patek Philippe’s commitment to maintaining the highest decorative arts even as they embraced new technical innovations. The reference 2526 was powered by the caliber 12-600 AT, Patek Philippe’s first automatic movement, crafted to the manufacture’s exacting standards. This movement featured a distinctive rotor design and represented a significant technical achievement for the house. The historical importance of this reference cannot be overstated – it bridged Patek Philippe’s traditional craftsmanship with modern horological innovation. The enamel dial variants are particularly sought after by collectors today, as they represent the convergence of technical progress with artisanal excellence.
catalog. Introduced in 1953, the reference 2526 was indeed Patek Philippe’s first series-produced automatic wristwatch, marking the Geneva house’s entry into the self-winding era. This was a bold step for a manufacture that had built its reputation on manual winding complications and dress watches of extraordinary refinement. What makes the reference 2526 truly exceptional is precisely what we have highlighted – the combination of automatic movement with enamel dials. These fired enamel dials represent the pinnacle of dial-making artistry, requiring extraordinary skill to achieve their perfect, lustrous finish. The enamel work on these pieces demonstrates Patek Philippe’s commitment to maintaining the highest decorative arts even as they embraced new technical innovations. The reference 2526 was powered by the caliber 12-600 AT, Patek Philippe’s first automatic movement, crafted to the manufacture’s exacting standards. This movement featured a distinctive rotor design and represented a significant technical achievement for the house. The historical importance of this reference cannot be overstated – it bridged Patek Philippe’s traditional craftsmanship with modern horological innovation. The enamel dial variants are particularly sought after by collectors today, as they represent the convergence of technical progress with artisanal excellence.
Online-Katalog 11. März 2026 - Basel Watch Auction Los 413
Patek Philippe
Ref. 2526, No. 760 031/674 989
Circa 1953
A 18k yellow gold wristwatch with
enamel dial
Case: round, screw-down case back,
special crown with logo “PP”, case back
with still the inscription “18K”, signed
Dial: enamel, applied indexes, outer
minute track, subsidiary seconds, signed
Movement: automatic, caliber 12-600 AT,
Côtes de Genève decoration, 18k gold
rotor with guilloché decoration, stamped
with Geneva Hallmark, also stamped “HOX”
on the balance bridge, signed
Buckle/Clasp: 18k yellow gold buckle,
stamped “PP& Co”
Dimensions: 36 mm
Weight: 51,2 g
Accessories: extract from the archives
mentioning date of manufacture in 1953
and sold on September 7th, 1953
CHF 40'000 – 60'000
The reference 2526 holds an absolutely pivotal place in Patek Philippe’s history and represents a watershed moment in luxury watchmaking. It is still today one of the most significant references in the manufacture’s entire
catalog. Introduced in 1953, the reference 2526 was indeed Patek Philippe’s first series-produced automatic wristwatch, marking the Geneva house’s entry into the self-winding era. This was a bold step for a manufacture that had built its reputation on manual winding complications and dress watches of extraordinary refinement. What makes the reference 2526 truly exceptional is precisely what we have highlighted – the combination of automatic movement with enamel dials. These fired enamel dials represent the pinnacle of dial-making artistry, requiring extraordinary skill to achieve their perfect, lustrous finish. The enamel work on these pieces demonstrates Patek Philippe’s commitment to maintaining the highest decorative arts even as they embraced new technical innovations. The reference 2526 was powered by the caliber 12-600 AT, Patek Philippe’s first automatic movement, crafted to the manufacture’s exacting standards. This movement featured a distinctive rotor design and represented a significant technical achievement for the house. The historical importance of this reference cannot be overstated – it bridged Patek Philippe’s traditional craftsmanship with modern horological innovation. The enamel dial variants are particularly sought after by collectors today, as they represent the convergence of technical progress with artisanal excellence.
catalog. Introduced in 1953, the reference 2526 was indeed Patek Philippe’s first series-produced automatic wristwatch, marking the Geneva house’s entry into the self-winding era. This was a bold step for a manufacture that had built its reputation on manual winding complications and dress watches of extraordinary refinement. What makes the reference 2526 truly exceptional is precisely what we have highlighted – the combination of automatic movement with enamel dials. These fired enamel dials represent the pinnacle of dial-making artistry, requiring extraordinary skill to achieve their perfect, lustrous finish. The enamel work on these pieces demonstrates Patek Philippe’s commitment to maintaining the highest decorative arts even as they embraced new technical innovations. The reference 2526 was powered by the caliber 12-600 AT, Patek Philippe’s first automatic movement, crafted to the manufacture’s exacting standards. This movement featured a distinctive rotor design and represented a significant technical achievement for the house. The historical importance of this reference cannot be overstated – it bridged Patek Philippe’s traditional craftsmanship with modern horological innovation. The enamel dial variants are particularly sought after by collectors today, as they represent the convergence of technical progress with artisanal excellence.