Phillips has picked one incredible vintage Patek Philippe to lead its blockbuster Hong Kong watch auction this November. The Ref. 2499 in question is considered a holy grail timepiece among top-tier collectors—and for good reason. The perpetual calendar chronograph was introduced in 1951 as the successor to the groundbreaking reference 1518. The watch had all the complex mechanics and elegance of its predecessor but was equipped with a new case inspired by the industrial aesthetic of the ‘50s. During the model’s 35-year production run, Patek Philippe produced 349 examples and created four separate but almost ... (full story)