Patek Philippe Yellow Gold Rectangular Dress Watch Ref. 2488 - 'Gübelin' Dial
As far as brand identity goes, Patek Philippe, unlike many brands, is seemingly free of being associated with any one model in particular, and instead enjoys a reputation for quality, craftsmanship, and a long-standing pedigree as a top Swiss manufacturer.
Of course, there are models and model families that are nothing short of icons (e.g., Nautilus, Calatrava, Grand Complications, etc.) but if you dig deep enough there are hidden gems that do not even fall into any of these families.
Take the rectangular dress watch that we have here for example. Dating to circa the early 1950s, this piece is reminiscent of what would later become the 'Gondolo,' but predates the model family.
The solid yellow gold case is beautifully-sized, coming in at 28mm x 35mm and shows normal signs of wear throughout with clear hallmarks. Inside, the silver dial features applied indices, a matching 'pencil' handset, and a subsidiary seconds register at the 6 o'clock position. It is powered by one of Patek's manual-winding movements.
Last but not least, this piece is further elevated by an additional retailer signature on the lower half of the dial that reads "Gübelin." How about that!
Lesser-known the model lines like the Calatrava, complicated chronographs, and the Ellipse, Patek's from the earlier part of the twentieth century often predate reference numbers all together and offer surprisingly good value relative to their more established successors. This piece is one of the finest we have had the pleasure of offering on the website, full stop.
...And this piece, with its documentation and extra spice on the dial, makes for something genuinely rare.
Condition Report & Details
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Every Oliver & Clarke timepiece comes with a one-year mechanical warranty starting from the date of delivery. We ensure all watches are in wonderful working condition and are ready for daily wear. Many have been fully serviced by our team of watchmakers.
Please note:
- Due to the vintage or antique nature of many of our watches, they may not keep time as accurately as when new, nor as precisely as quartz or electronic devices.
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- Warranty does not cover internal or external damage caused by accidents, mishandling, abuse, modifications, or services performed by anyone other than our authorized personnel.
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