PATEK PHILIPPE Ref. 1491 Tropical Dial 18 Carat Yellow Gold (1952)

I'm delighted to offer for sale a truly special watch, with an even more remarkable dial The reference 1491 is amongst the most distinctive calatravas in profile - it's "scroll" lugs wrap around and down and on to the wrist, it's restrained flamboyance - furthermore the case on this example displays time honoured oxidation in an array of purples and blues - whoever the next custodian is, please don't polish it! This kind of magic only occurs with patience The real star of the show though is the hard enamel dial, which has aged to the most glorious treacle pumpkin, whilst the enamel itself is wonderfully preserved As if that's not enough, the yellow gold lapped markers have oxidised to an even greater extent - blue through purple to gold and back, it's a spectacle I do not know the service history, but the watch is running nicely and comes fitted on a brand new bespoke alligator strap The watch comes with Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives, confirming date of manufacture to 1952, date of sale March 5th 1953