Are you still gloomy about the discontinuation of Patek Philippe steel Nautilus Reference 5711? Well, feel better and hopeful; a rare beast from Patek Philippe is about to hit at auction. The Patek Reference 2523 World Timer is one of the rarest models ever produced.
It is one of the three versions featuring a ‘cloisonne enamel’ dial indicating the Eurasia landmass. However, one of these three World Timer watches is stockpiled in the Patek Philippe museum in Geneva; whereas, the other is with a private collector. And the third model is the one to be featured at the Phillips auction.
The Phillips’ U.S watch department’s MD, Paul Boutros, explains that it is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for him to get a glimpse of a two-crown cloisonné world timer. The Reference 2523 is genuinely a magnificent timepiece in yellow gold with multiple vibrant coloured dials.
And guess what, the ultra-rare Patek Philippe 2523 is expected to fetch nearly £2.37 million at Phillips in May’s auction. This is undoubtedly not a joke.
What makes Reference 2523 World Timer so rare?
Patek Philippe did not produce the 1950s World Timer watches in substantial amount. Generally, mega-millionaires and magnates bought them. Interestingly, the total number of Reference 2523 ever made is perhaps less than 25. However, when considering the specific model up for auction at Phillips, the production shrinks more.
As already mentioned above, Patek has made only three World Timer Reference 2523 models in yellow gold and with a cloisonné dial flaunting Eurasia map. Such a timepiece came up at auction last time in 2002, fetched a bewildering sum of over £1.33 Million.
According to Phillips, Patek Philippe produced the particular timepiece to be auctioned in 1953. You can spot several iterations of Reference 2523 and 2523-1 with various dial types like guilloche ad double-stamped blue enamel. However, the cloisonné dials usually flaunt the South or North America map.
When such exclusive pieces of innovations come up for auction, it is undeniably worth catching sight of them. And you can expect these watches to fetch a staggering seven-figure price. Nonetheless, Reference 2523 with Eurasia dial stands out in the ultra-rare domain.
Patek Philippe has offered the mid-century World Timers in white, yellow and rose gold cases. However, the three Eurasia dial editions are available in yellow gold. You can spot the difference between Reference 2523 and 2523-1 models based on the lugs.
The lugs on Reference 2523 markedly overlap the watch case. On the other hand, the lugs seem more brim with the case in Reference 2523-1.
The Defining Features of Patek Philippe World Timer 2523
Patek Philippe designed and produced this World Timer in 1953. The defining features include its 36mm case, 41-city ring, dual crowns and different dial designs. The specific model at Phillips features a cloisonné enamel dial with a unique Eurasia motif.
Interestingly, Patek created the timepiece in collaboration with Louis Cottier, the maker of world timer complications for the watchmaker, in 1931. Cottier designed the dual-crown system in the early 1950s.
According to Philipps, Cottier supposedly performed the last congregation of these timepieces and made the unique hands by his hands. The Reference 2523 up for auction features Cottier’s signature ‘LC’ on the enamel disc. The dial design is indeed complex but is functional and beautiful.
The dial flaunts a dual-colour 24hour display, the multi-colour cloisonné enamel centre in gold, turquoise, green and marine blue and all the cities set up on the outer portion. Moreover, you can see a mixture of yellow gold stick hour markers and Roman numeral markers.
Interestingly, the Patek Philippe World Timer Ref. 2523 will feature at Phillips auction in May with three Patek straps in yellow, pistachio and brown. So this timepiece is undoubtedly a big deal. And we won’t be surprised to see this ultra-rare watch blowing hammer more than its £2.37 million estimates.