Patek Philippe

Ref. 2499

May 14, 2022,18:48 PM

Introduced in 1950, the 2499 is the successor to the 1518 until it made way for the 3970 in 1986. In this period of time, 349 examples were created; the majority being cased in yellow gold. In addition, collectors have divided the watches made over those years into four ‘series’. The ‘first series’ is easily spotted by its rectangular chronograph pushers, applied Arabic numerals and tachymeter. The ‘second series’ has round chronograph pushers, applied baton indexes or Arabic numerals and a tachymeter. The ‘third series’, to which this example belongs, keeps the round chronograph pushers, only comes with applied baton indexes, loses the tachymeter but adds numerals to the outer track to mark minutes and/or chronograph seconds. The ‘fourth series’ differs from the ‘third series’ with the plexiglass being replaced with a sapphire crystal and the omission of the “30” on the outer track. These are not the only differences between the series but should be enough to help you know which is which and more than enough to bore a non-watch lover to death.

This example is matched with a rare black dial but if you are someone who insists on original and unrestored, you will be disappointed because the dial has been restored. Incidentally, the ‘third series’ is the most “abundant” and is viewed as being the “least desirable” by most collectors; although to my mind, it has the most attractive design, so I will gladly “settle” for one.

An extra tidbit is that the 2499 is at the end of the Valjoux era for Patek Philippe which ushers in the Lemania era in the 3970.