DESCRIPTION
The rectangular Patek Philippe ref. 2488 was launched in 1950 and produced for just over 10 years. It was available in yellow, rose, and white gold, as well as platinum. Its name, Carre-Tortue, comes from the aesthetic codes of the case made by Geneva-based Wenger, one of the most prestigious and established manufacturers of the time. Founded in 1912 with a registered trademark since 1920, it created some of the finest pocket and wristwatch cases for numerous Swiss brands, including Patek Philippe.
The example on offer here, from around 1950, has a rose gold case measuring 35 mm x 28 mm and is characterized by a balance of proportions that adapts well to modern trends in terms of size, even compared to the rectangular models of other brands. The watch features the distinctive Stern Frères dial with thin applied indexes and gold baton hands, with the small seconds counter at 6 o’clock balancing the inscription at 12 o’clock. At the heart of the timepiece is the exceptional manual-winding caliber 10 200, one of the pinnacles of 20th-century Genevan watchmaking design and finishing. Equipped with a full-bridge mechanism, it boasts exceptional craftsmanship, a visually pleasing layout, and exemplary mechanical and chronometric performance for its time. The ref. 2488 embodies the understated elegance of Patek Philippe watches from the 1950s, embodying a standard of quality that was the pinnacle of luxury at the time, a standard that remains unchanged after more than seven decades. The watch is completed with an exclusive Watch Insanity set.
