DCC
67
I still have some unresolved issues
Hi Mark, Many thanks.
To be honest, I still have some unsolved issues. I was not planning to include these in my original post but let me give you some food for thought.
1. The exact delineation between the 2523 and 2523-1 references
Some sources indicate that the 2523-1 references, which presumably started with the 724 3XX caliber series and the 313 XXX case series, were only fitted with gilt and guilloché dials. My spreadsheet would tend to confirm this assertion.
However, in his book, Patrizzi claims that the unique white gold piece with cloisonné enamel dial is a 2523-1 reference (caliber number 722 707 and case number 307 475). It is worth noting that the case number of this piece is rather odd as it does not fall into the 306 XXX or 313 XXX series. Is it because it is the unique example in white gold? Unfortunately the book does not show the certificate of origin of this specific watch which could confirm whether it is effectively a 2523-1 reference. I strongly believe that Patrizzi made a mistake. The Complete Catalog of the Patek Philippe Museum identifies this watch as a 2523 reference and not as a 2523-1. On the very same page of the catalog, there is a 2523-1 on the far right and we can clearly see the distinctive differences between the lugs of the respective references. The lugs of the 2523-1 are thinner and the facets are less apparent.
2. The exact production number
As I mentioned in my post, In the catalog of the sale of 14 May 2012, Christie's asserts that ‘to date, only twelve yellow gold examples have made their reappearance in public, including the present. Furthermore two in pink gold and only one in white gold, now prominently exhibited at the prestigious Patek Philippe Museum in Geneva, are known’. Is Christie's referring to the 2523 references alone or does this figure cover both the 2523 and 2523-1 pieces? If this figure only covers the 2523 references, I cannot reconcile it with my spreadsheet.
On the other hand, Sotheby’s claims in the catalog of the 6 October 2015 sale that ‘according to research, only 20 examples of Ref. 2523-1 were ever produced’. If this is the case and assuming that the 2523-1 series effectively starts with the 724 3XX caliber series, the combined production of the 2523 and 2523-1 watches is then much higher than we could have expected. There would be at least fifteen 2523 and twenty 2523-1.
I don't want to use the word 'misrepresentation' by the Auction Houses but the lawyer that I am might be tempted to think so...
In depth Review: Patek Philippe 2523 Reference World Time.
The enamel white is my favorite. A dream which will remain a dream.
Fantastic Post...
You did it again, thank you!
Very interesting indepth post about this icon
I still have some unresolved issues
Only Patek can tell how many pieces were made.
This is a very hard job
Just found number 23
Thanks for the update!
Thanks for this great work. Terrific scholarship.
There is only one vintage world time in platinum known to date
Very comprehensive write up on the world time.
Oh wow!
Thank you very much for such an excellent post!
GREAT research!
455 world time movement according to Patrizzi
Thank you
What a secular write-up with exquisite pictorial !.. Thx for this great effort, to be bookmarked.. Enjoyed every line !.. :))
What a superb post
