Patek Philippe Ref. 1518 Important and Extremely Rare 18k Gold Wristwatch with Chronograph, Perpetual Calendar, Moon Phases, Register, Tachometer and 18k Gold Buckle, previously owned by the renown sports entrepreneur Arthur Michael Wirtz, circa 1945 Case: three body, 18k yellow gold, 35 mm, concave bezel, extended down turned lugs, snap - on case back, rectangular push buttons, case back engraved "Arthur M. Wirtz, 1420 Lake Shore Drive", case number 644099
Dial: silver, applied upright gold Arabic numerals and gold hour dots, yellow gold feuille hands, blue steel center seconds, outer five minute numerals, 1/5th seconds track and tachometer scale, three subsidiary dials indicating constant seconds, 30 minute register and date combined with phases of the moon, apertures below 12 for the days of the week and months in French
Movement: caliber 13''', No. 863738, 23 jewel, eight adjustments, rhodium plated, fausse cotes decoration, lever escapement, bi-metallic balance, self compensating Breguet balance spring, index regulator, manual winding
Band: Patek Philippe black cousumain with 18k gold Patek Philippe buckle
Signed: triple signed Patek Philippe & Co. Geneve in the original Patek Philippe inner and outer boxes. Outer box also with seal from the retailer F.J. Freccero, Montevideo.
Accompanied by an Extract from the Archives stating the date of manufacture as 1945 and the date of sale as March 12th, 1947
Arthur Michael Wirtz (Jan. 23, 1901 - July 21, 1983) was a prolific sports arena operator and Chicago business man. He graduated from the University of Michigan in 1923 and became very successful as a real estate investor and broker during the depression years. In 1952 along with James D. Norris, Wirtz purchased the Chicago Black Hawks hockey franchise saving it from bankruptcy. He was also an owner of the Chicago Stadium, the Chicago Bulls, the Olympic Stadium in Detroit and the Bismark Hotel in Chicago. In 1936 Arthur Wirtz signed the famous Norwegian figure skater Sonja Henie and promoted the Sonja Henie Ice Show. In years to follow he owned the Ice Follies and the Holiday on Ice productions. He also promoted the Olympic skating champions Jo Jo Starbuck and Dorothy Hamill. Arthur Michael Wirtz was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1971. Those who knew this highly successful and driven man have suggested that his initials A.M. stood for "after midnight"- a time when he would still be working while others slept.
The Patek Philippe Ref. 1518 was produced from 1941 to 1954 with a mere total of 281 pieces being completed. This was the first horological masterpiece to be produced in series which combined a perpetual calendar with the complexity of the chronograph. The 1518 is based on the Valjoux caliber 13Q with upgrades of the highest standards. The under dial mechanism for the perpetual calendar functions was created in the Patek Philippe workshop by the famous watchmaker Victor Piguet. The 1518 is the most important perpetual chronograph for the serious collector. It has been the cornerstone for all the various models which have followed.
Condition Report: Type: Patek Philippe Ref. 1518 Important and Extremely Rare 18k Gold Wristwatch with Chronograph, Perpetual Calendar, Moon Phases, Register, Tachometer and 18K Gold Buckle
Signed: Patek Philippe & Co. Geneve
Model: Reference 1518, First Series
Dial: silver, applied gold Arabic numerals, dot indexes
Hands; yellow gold feuille
Metal: 18k yellow gold
Case No: 644099
Case Info: three body, concave bezel, rectangular pushers
Case Length: 44 mm
Case Width: 35 mm
Crystal: acrylic
Watch Movement: No. 863738, 23 jewel, eight adjustments, caliber 13''', rhodium plated, fausse cotes decoration, lever escapement, bi-metallic balance, self compensating Breguet balance spring, index regulator
Band: black PP cousumain, 18k PP buckle
Circa: 1946
Condition: movement in extremely nice condition, dial very good, case very good, gold cap on crown partially missing
Notes: Case back is engraved Arthur M. Wirtz, 1420 Lake Shore Drive The watch is in the original Patek Philippe black leather box and the outer box which has the retailers seal from F. J. Freccero, Montevideo
Shipping: Miscellaneous Collectibles, Smal (view shipping information)
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