Patek Philippe Ref. 2470. 18k Yellow Gold. c.1954/5

A Patek Philippe Ref. 2470 with a tonneau case in solid 18ct Yellow Gold. Circa 1954/55.

Manual-wind Patek Philippe cal. 9-90 movement, movement no. 975765.

Wenger-made 18ct Yellow Gold case, no. 672576.

Original Patek Philippe 18ct Yellow Gold buckle.

This Ref. 2470 is a seldom-seen and elegantly shaped watch of the 1950s. Its elongated tonneau case measures approximately 24mm across and 37mm in length and houses the beautifully finished, shaped cal. 9'''90 manual-wind movement.

This example dates to circa 1954/55. Interestingly, another documented Ref. 2470 bears case no. 672568 – just eight numbers before this watch – while another has case no. 672579, only three numbers later.

A particularly nice detail is that the movement number 975765 is repeated inside the caseback, matching the movement itself – exactly what you would hope to find on a vintage Patek of this period.

The case bears the Geneva Key No. 1 responsibility mark associated with Ed. Wenger SA, one of Patek Philippe's important case makers of the period. The Swiss Helvetia and ‘G’ assay marks denote 18ct gold and Geneva respectively. The original 18ct Patek Philippe buckle is stamped ‘PP & Co’ and ‘750’ and carries corresponding Geneva assay marks.

A Personal Note:-

This is exactly the sort of vintage watch I like. Smallish by modern standards, but beautifully proportioned and wonderfully understated.

However, what really makes this particular watch special is its history.

I acquired it directly from an old friend, whose paternal grandfather purchased the watch new in India. He wore and enjoyed it for many years before gifting it to his then five-year-old grandson in Calcutta in the summer of 1984. His father subsequently had the watch serviced and valued once they had returned to the UK, where it was placed in a NatWest safety deposit box. Remarkably, it remained there until NatWest withdrew the service in 2024.

The family also confirms that the watch has remained as originally purchased, including its 18ct Patek Philippe buckle.

Condition:-

The 18ct Yellow Gold case is very nice indeed, while showing some surface marks from age and wear. Importantly, its distinctive tonneau shape remains well defined. The various case numbers, signatures, service markings and hallmarks remain clearly visible and deeply stamped. Even a Patek Philippe service sticker remains on the back.

The dial has developed some patina and marks over its approximately 70 years and there are indications that some of the dial printing may have been touched in during a past service, as was commonplace with pieces of this age. I personally wouldn't have it any other way and, needless to say, it has been left completely alone, ignoring the temptation to clean or restore it.

The applied gold hour markers and Arabic 12 display some oxidation but remain very attractive, as do the gold hands and subsidiary seconds at 6.

The original Patek Philippe 18ct pin buckle remains with the watch and carries ‘PP & Co’, ‘750’ and Geneva assay markings. The strap has most likely been replaced at some point but is a vintage Patek Philippe strap.

Movement:-

Unlike many tonneau case watches which just use a circular movement, Patek Philippe cut no corners with the beautifully shaped cal. 9-90. This example is running very nicely considering its age. There are no official service records, but we know from the family history that it was last serviced in 1984 and was then placed in a safety deposit box, where it remained unused until 2024.

Given that the movement is currently running very well and has remained undisturbed for so long, I have chosen not to have it serviced simply for the sake of doing so.

I guarantee the authenticity and working order of this piece at the time of sale and will offer a 6 month extended warranty. As with all vintage watches of this age, please don't expect it to be waterproof.