Only three Patek Philippe World Time ref. 2523 watches with cloisonné enamel dials depicting South America exist. The first is known from a book, the second will be auctioned soon, and the third remains mysterious. The watches have city rings with different languages and Moscow placement, along with
To my knowledge, there are only three Patek Philippe World Time ref. 2523 with a cloisonné enamel dial depicting a map of South America.
The first one has never appeared in public: it is only described on page 159 of the book by Giampiero Negretti & Paolo de Vecchi, Patek Philippe Complicated Wrist Watches, 1999.
A/ MOVEMENT NO. 722'710 & CASE NO. 306'206 - YELLOW GOLD
The city ring features 40 city names in French with “Moscou” on top of “Aden”.
The 24h ring features white “6” and “18”.
credit: Giampiero Negretti & Paolo de Vecchi, Patek Philippe Complicated Wrist Watches
, 1999 (photo borrowed from the post from 2016 by DCC)
The
second example will be
sold by
Philipps on
May 9-10, 2026 and had
only appeared at auction
once before, on October 25th,
1988 in New York (Sotheby’s, lot 465).
The resurfacing of this model is therefore a rather major event.
B/ MOVEMENT NO. 722'711 & CASE NO. 306'212 - YELLOW GOLD
The city ring features 39 city names in French without “Moscou” on top of “Aden”.
The 24h ring features black & white “6” and “18”.
credit: Phillips
The third example, like the first one, has never appeared in public: it is only known through the book by Martin Huber & Alan Banbery Patek Philippe Genève Wristwatches (p. 241 of the second edition from 1998).
C/ THIRD EXAMPLE
The city ring features 40 city names in English with “Moscow ” above “Aden”.
The 24h ring features black & white “6” and “18”.
On the same page, Martin Huber & Alan Banbery provide
two photos of a
caliber 12’’’-400, which
seems to
belong to the
watch.
Rear view
Under-dial view
But what
puzzles me is that the
number of this
movement –
724315 –
corresponds to an
example of the ref.
2523/1 which is on display at the
Patek Philippe Museum (Inv. P-212).
credit: personal photos of my copies of the Huber/Banbery book and of the catalog of the Patek Philippe MuseumSo, I am unfortunately
unable to
specify the
movement and
case numbers of this
third example...
The only certainty is that we know of only three “South America” examples of ref. 2523 and that the only example ever to appear publicly has just resurfaced nearly 40 years after its first appearance in 1988...
Thanks for reading.
Best, Emmanuel
About the Patek Philippe Ref. 5130
The Patek Philippe Complications reference 5130, introduced in 2006, is a World Time watch that succeeded the popular reference 5110. This model maintained the distinctive World Time complication, allowing for simultaneous display of time in 24 different time zones. Its design evolved with a slightly larger case and updated dial aesthetics, distinguishing it from its predecessor while retaining the core functionality that defines Patek Philippe's travel timepieces. It was produced until 2017.
The watch features an 18k rose gold case measuring 39.5mm in diameter and 9.8mm in thickness, housing the self-winding Caliber 240 HU movement. This ultra-thin movement, visible through a sapphire crystal case back, provides a power reserve of 48 hours. The dial is silver or opaline with a guilloché center, protected by a sapphire crystal. Water resistance is rated at 30 meters.
Reference 5130 appeals to collectors seeking a sophisticated travel complication from Patek Philippe. Its larger case size compared to the 5110 offered a more contemporary presence on the wrist, while its classic World Time mechanism remained a hallmark of the brand's technical prowess. The model was available in various precious metals, with the rose gold variant offering a warm aesthetic.
Specifications
- Caliber
- Cal.240 HU
- Case
- 18k rose gold
- Diameter
- 39.5mm
- Dial
- Silver / opaline guilloché
- Water Resist.
- 30m
- Crystal
- Sapphire
About the Patek Philippe Complications Ref. 2523
The Patek Philippe reference 2523, launched in 1953, is a significant World Time model distinguished by its two-crown system. One crown manages the winding and time setting, while the second, positioned at 9 o’clock, controls the city disc, allowing for easy adjustment of the various time zones. This reference is notable for its integration of the world time complication, a signature feature developed by Louis Cottier. It represents a key development in Patek Philippe's history of complex timepieces.
This reference was produced in 18k white gold, among other metals, and features a case diameter of 35.5mm. The watch is powered by the automatic Caliber 12-400 HU, which incorporates the specialized world time module. The dial is typically silver, providing a clear backdrop for the city ring and time indications. A sapphire crystal protects the dial, ensuring durability and legibility.
Collector interest in the reference 2523 is high due to its innovative two-crown design and its place in the evolution of Patek Philippe's World Time series. It appeals to collectors seeking historically important complications and distinctive case designs. The reference 2523 is often discussed alongside its variant, the reference 2523/1, which features slightly different lug proportions and a marginally larger case diameter, offering collectors distinct aesthetic choices within the same core model.
Specifications
- Caliber
- Cal. 12-400 HU
- Case
- 18k white gold
- Diameter
- 35.5mm
- Dial
- Silver
- Water Resist.
- 30m
- Crystal
- Sapphire
