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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Wristwatch · Automatic wristwatch

Patek Philippe 'Luminous Dial', Reference 2526

Partially verified

According to the auction house, this Patek Philippe Reference 2526 is an 18k yellow gold automatic wristwatch produced in 1955. The source records calibre 12-600 with 30 jewels housed inside a 35.5 mm case with a screw-down back. The dial is off-white enamel with luminous indexes, paired with dauphine-style hands and a subsidiary seconds display at 6 o'clock. An accompanying Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirms the original sale date on November 21, 1955, and specifies radium as the dial luminous material.

Front three-quarter view of the Patek Philippe Reference 2526 yellow gold wristwatch with off-white enamel dial
Front three-quarter view of the Patek Philippe Reference 2526 yellow gold wristwatch with off-white enamel dial — Sotheby's. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.sothebys.com
Category
Wristwatch · Automatic wristwatch
Maker / attribution
Patek Philippe
Reference
2526
Catalogue / lot identifier
78
Source-reported date
1955
Country
Switzerland
Source-reported serial
687'814

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Dial and Visual Architecture

Direct visual inspection reveals an off-white enamel dial featuring applied yellow-toned hour markers and a dot minute track. The time display utilizes yellow-toned dauphine hands accompanied by a running seconds subdial at the 6 o'clock position.

According to the auction house description, the dial incorporates luminous indexes. A saleroom notice clarifies that an accompanying Extract from the Archives confirms the luminous material on the dial is radium. The catalog also records the dial as signed by the maker.

Evidence for this section
  • “Off-white enamel dial featuring applied yellow-toned hour markers and dot minute track”
  • “Yellow-toned dauphine hands and a subdial for running seconds at 6 o'clock”
  • “Dial: off-white enamel, luminous indexes”
  • “Please note that the Extract from the Archives confirms the luminous material as radium on the dial.”
  • “Signed: case, dial and movement”

Case and External Fittings

The catalog lists the case as 18k yellow gold with a screw-down case back, measuring 35.5 mm in diameter, with case number 687'814. Direct observation shows downward-curving lugs and a fluted crown bearing the Patek Philippe logo.

Visible attached to the lugs is a brown alligator leather strap. The auction entry notes an 18k yellow gold Patek Philippe buckle closure, though this fitting is not depicted in the provided frontal image.

Evidence for this section
  • “Case: 18k yellow gold, screw-down case back”
  • “Case number: 687'814”
  • “Size: 35.5 mm diameter”
  • “Fluted crown bearing the Patek Philippe logo”
  • “Brown alligator leather strap attached to downward-curving lugs”
  • “Closure: 18k yellow gold Patek Philippe buckle”

Reported Movement and Archival Documentation

The internal movement is not visible in the provided image. The auction house documents the mechanism as automatic calibre 12-600 with 30 jewels, bearing movement number 761'820, and reports the movement as signed.

The lot includes a Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming a sale date of November 21, 1955, as well as a travel case. The listing notes that neither an original box nor guarantee papers are present.

Evidence for this section
  • “Calibre: cal. 12-600 automatic, 30 jewels”
  • “Movement number: 761'820”
  • “Signed: case, dial and movement”
  • “Accessories: Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming date of sale on November 21, 1955 and travel case”
  • “Box: no”
  • “Papers: no”

Open research questions

  • What specific hallmarks and reference markings are stamped inside the screw-down case back?
  • Under close magnification, does the enamel dial display any hairline fissures or flaking near the radium plots and subdial area?
  • What style and period maker marks are present on the 18k yellow gold buckle?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Patek Philippe 'Luminous Dial', Reference 2526
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Movement Number761'820“Movement number: 761'820”
Case Number687'814“Case number: 687'814”
Calibrecal. 12-600 automatic, 30 jewels“Calibre: cal. 12-600 automatic, 30 jewels”
Case Material18k yellow gold, screw-down case back“Case: 18k yellow gold, screw-down case back”
Case Diameter35.5 mm diameter“Size: 35.5 mm diameter”
Sale DateNovember 21, 1955“confirming date of sale on November 21, 1955”
Maker SignaturesCase, dial, and movement reported signed“Signed: case, dial and movement”
Buckle18k yellow gold Patek Philippe buckle“Closure: 18k yellow gold Patek Philippe buckle”
Included AccessoriesPatek Philippe Extract from the Archives and travel case“Accessories: Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming date of sale on November 21, 1955 and travel case”
Original Packaging and PapersNo box, no papers“Box: no Papers: no”

Visible details

  • Off-white enamel dial featuring applied yellow-toned hour markers and dot minute track
  • Yellow-toned dauphine hands and a subdial for running seconds at 6 o'clock
  • Brown alligator leather strap attached to downward-curving lugs
  • Fluted crown bearing the Patek Philippe logo

Research qualifications

  • Movement and case back interior are not visible in the provided image.
  • Buckle is mentioned in text but not depicted in the frontal photograph.

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

Patek Philippe | 'Luminous Dial', Reference 2526 A yellow gold

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 3f9733e427

Terms in this record

Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.

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