Patek Philippe Reference 1518 Perpetual Calendar Chronograph

Technical characteristics

Type

Perpetual calendar watch

Caliber

cal. 13"' mechanical, 23 jewels

Closure

18k pink gold Gay Frères bracelet with clasp

Case Number

644'119

Case Diameter

35 mm

Case Material

18k pink gold

Place recorded

Switzerland

Movement Number

863'794

Maker / attribution

Patek Philippe

Design

Visible features

• Pink-toned dial with dual day and month calendar apertures positioned above the signature • Subdials for running seconds, 30-minute chronograph register, and combined date with moon phase display • Outer tachymeter scale printed along the dial periphery • Beads-of-rice multi-link pink gold bracelet attached between straight lugs • Rectangular chronograph pushers flanking a fluted winding crown

Case Construction and Bracelet

Crafted in 18k pink gold with a snap-on case back, the 35 mm case is classified in catalog commentary as second series (1946–1953), characterized by more tapered lugs, a larger winding crown, and lower positioning of the rectangular chronograph pushers. The auction catalog reports that all gold reference 1518 cases were produced by casemaker Emile Vichet (Key 9). The watch is fitted with an 18k pink gold multi-link Gay Frères bracelet with clasp mounted to the case lugs, which feature drilled spring bar holes.

Dial Configuration and Inscription

The salmon pink-toned dial, stated in catalog notes to have been made by Stern Frères, features a perpetual calendar display with dual apertures for day and month indications in French. Subdials across the dial provide running seconds, a 30-minute chronograph register, and an integrated date display with an aperture for moon phases. Positioned below the day and month apertures, the dial displays an early "Patek Philippe & Co" long signature, reported to feature slightly compressed lettering to fit beneath the windows. Source notes report that Patek Philippe transitioned to a shortened dial signature ("Patek Philippe") around 1948, placing this 1946-manufactured watch toward the later end of long-signature production.

Movement Details and Archival Documentation

According to catalog specifications, the movement is a 23-jewel manual-wind caliber 13"' numbered 863'794, with signing stated across the case, dial, and movement. As the movement and interior case back are not visible in the provided reference photograph, internal mechanical marks and finish details are not directly confirmed. The lot is accompanied by a Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming manufacture in 1946 and sale on July 9, 1947. Original box and papers are not recorded in the catalog listing.

Identification

Reference

1518

Serial number

863794

Source note

Facts transcribed from the linked source listing or collection record. Attribution and specifications are source-reported and have not been independently authenticated.

Catalogue references

No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.