Patek Philippe

The Most Beautiful World Time Ever? Background The HU 2523 and HU 2523-1 references are, to my eyes at least, the most beautiful vintage world time watches ever produced and certainly the most desired of all. Launched in 1953, the 2523 reference comprises...  

I like the 1415 a lot, but the 2523 even more. What an article, my friend! Thank you so much. These Patek WT are true pieces of dream. Best, Nicolas

Great Information and write up, when I saw the WT Watches at the Patek Museum I was mesmerized by their beauty and patina, pictures can never do them justice. S

Fantastic reading and great learning. A WatchProSite post at its best. Kari

I'll be coming back again on your article, especially for all the figures about versions etc... I don't know which one I would rank n°1 frankly... the first 96HU looked very nice as well, I love the 5131 reference also or the 1415-1... I edited my late 20... 

Hi Mark, Many thanks. As the French article was written some years ago, I took the opportunity to enhance the content and include the results of some additional research. It was fun digging back in some old stuff. To be honest, I still have some unsolved ...  

The auction houses state that to their knowledge, according to what they saw, only xx pieces are existing. That doesn't mean that they were made in xx pieces. I had the same problem with some vintage JLCs, especially, for example, the Geophysic in rose go... 

as they often make mistakes and don't always seem to be 100% thorough. The least we can say is that such research is a living process that improves with time. I would tend to consider that the Patek Museum book is more accurate than other sources (Patrizz... 

There is one on sale at the upcoming auction at Christie's. I did not spot it when it got offered on sale by Christie's for the first time in March 1998 and it goes back on sale in two weeks time. It is a 2523-1 in yellow gold and silver guilloché dial.

I must say that I now start to like playing the game of identifying those old ladies coming out of the woods. Cheeers, Mark

Excellent research and a very informative post. Thank you so much!

I note that none of the earlier world time references were made in Platinum. Do I correctly recall that the first time the Patek made the world time reference in platinum was the 5110p?

This is well documented 1415HU. On 13 April 2002 it achieved a record sale price at an Antiquorum auction when it reached 6,603,500 CHF. It was the most expensive wristwatch at the time. ...  

Hands were the 5130/5131 inspiration?

Appreciate your post. World time models are really cool watches. To tell time in the different time zones a neat and functional complication. Here's my handsome 5130g. Really love this watch. Cheers and thanks again for your post. DCC. Geross. ...  

First of all, thank you. This is a fantastic post. I don\'t have much to say except that these are all very beautiful - someday I must visit the PP Museum in Geneva. The 5110 and later models are great but in all honesty, they pale beside these! There is ... 

You definitely spent much time on this thread and your great amount of efforts is really amazing! My favorite is the 2523 cloisonné dial with the map of North America because of its more vibrant colors than the others. Here is my 5131G saying hi to yours....  

I did a similar analysis for ref. 605HU world time pocket watches on an excel file - 28 examples of which are known out of a total of 179 pieces produced over a period of 20~25 years. It was believed that Louis Cottier made a total of 455 world time movem... 

This is indeed the figure mentioned by Patrizzi in his article published in Vox Magazine. Whereas he is providing the chronology of Patek Philippe world time watches, he does not venture in providing the breakdown by reference with the exception for some ... 

Trust only your own research.

Mark, I very much enjoyed reading your post. I also loved the double crown and if I had the choice it would be tough. I can't decide between the blue or the multicoloured Enamel. Ah its nice to dream. The only thing holding me back on this reference are t... 

worth watching

A feast for the brain & heart about PP WTs special Refs. Thx again & Best, hs

On a watch that is very close to my heart, but will probably never be to my wrist First time in 1998 when I read books and article about the watches the first time Second time a few years ago when I visited the PP museum the first time. And spend maybe 45... 

How did I miss your post ? Sorry for that ! Highly instructive, clearly THE reference post for all PP WT lovers like me. Many thanks again Mike