Collection
Mike H shares his appreciation for reasonably sized watches, particularly 36mm models, which he finds comfortable for his 17cm wrist. He presents a parallel comparison of his Patek Philippe Ref. 2526 and a vintage Rolex with a Tiffany dial, highlighting their shared elegance and comfort despite their distinct brands.
In spite of today’s trend and probably because of the limited size of my wrist (17cm) I feel much more comfortable with watches having a quite reasonable size. This is the reason why 36 mm diameter watches fit well on my wrist and my taste leads me towards this kind of watches that many could find too small in size against present standards.
Also for this reason I highly appreciate simple 3 hands watches with no complications at least for my every day use. Thus since many years I have been very naturally seduced by the very coveted classy Patek 2526, the mother of all Calatravas (that I have already presented here in a review early September).
And for the same reason I could not resist when I first saw its cousin from the Rolex house. The rarity of this piece (because of the model and obviously because of the Tiffany dial) but certainly also its exceptional condition pushed me to grab it with no hesitation. Of course they don’t “box” in the same category but that is not the point: I don’t mean to compare them, on the contrary: they have so many similarities I thought it could be interesting to present them in parallel.
Size of the case is similar and was qualified as “oversized” at that time with their 36mm diameter
Although the design of the case is obviously different, it is clear they are from the same period (1956 for the Patek, 1964 for the Rolex).
Their similar fluid shape falls ideally on the wrist and they are equally comfortable to wear thanks to their very reasonable 11mm thickness.
As for the dial, in spite of the clear differences (baked enamel dial with small second at 6:00 for PP, silverstone soleil dial with sweep second for the Rolex), the global aspect looks very similar mainly due to the dauphine hands (with tritium for the Rolex), the gold indexes and minute track.
Of course both original crowns proudly carry the logo of their respective Houses
As for the caliber they are however less comparable:
when the 2526 shows the mythic 12-600 AT inside (the first self-winding
movement of the manufacture) with its massive 18K guilloche golden rotor and
stamped with the Geneva seal
Each of the 2 watches is having its charm and beauty.
Actually I am not asking to myself if I love one more than the other: would you ask yourself this question if you had 2 children?
Of course not and this is just the same: I cherish them equally, I just love them both.
Best,
Mike
The Patek Philippe Reference 2526 is notable as the brand's first serially produced automatic wristwatch. Introduced in 1953, it marked a significant technical advancement for Patek Philippe, housing a self-winding movement at a time when manual-wind mechanisms were still prevalent. This reference is recognized for its clean aesthetic and robust construction, establishing a foundation for future automatic timepieces from the manufacture.
The watch features a 35 mm case, available in 18k yellow gold, 18k rose gold, or platinum. It is powered by the caliber 12-600 AT, an automatic movement with a Gyromax balance and a solid gold rotor, offering a power reserve of approximately 40 hours. The crystal is acrylic, protecting a silver dial that often features enamel. The case design is characterized by its smooth bezel and often includes a screw-down case back, contributing to its water resistance.
For collectors, the Reference 2526 is highly sought after due to its historical significance as Patek Philippe's inaugural automatic model. Variants exist with different dial configurations, including those with applied indexes and small seconds, which can vary between the gold and platinum versions. The presence of original bracelets, particularly on rose gold models, can also add to its collectibility, as these were less common than leather strap configurations.
your love for both watches, even from your post only. Easy to imagine the smile when you put one of them on your wrist. The dial, the indexes, the shape of the case, the movement and THE crown of the 2526 are to die for. Thanks a lot for sharing! Best, Oliver
Many thanks for the lovely post. Oversized those days but perfect sized nowadays, I would say. The modern Pateks like 5119, 6000 rg, 5127 and other 36-37 mm watches are worth my money. It is, obviously, a contemporary need that Patek is feeding with +38 mm watches and that is fine as they keep the tradition of watchmaking (small and slim watches) still a live, by doing so. It is definitely not the case that the wrist sizes: out of an interest, a big one, in to exercise and diet I came across a m
Hi Mike, It is a good idea to put these 2 watches side by side. Both are lovely. I can't help myself thinking that this Rolex case has been perfectly designed, fluid and easy shape, elegant. Both of them should perfectly fit to the small wrist of the tasteful man you are ;-) Best my friend, Didier.
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