Patek Philippe Perpetual Calendar Chronograph 1518

Ref. 1518J

The 1518 was Patek's first Perpetual Calendar Chronograph when introduced in 1941. While commonplace -though still a mean feat today, at the time it was nothing short of spectacular. In a case of just 35mm, Patek managed to squeeze in a hand-wound chronograph movement with small seconds, displaying also the day, date, month and moonphase. An icon. It was replaced by the 2499. The example featured here has a dial with Arabic numerals. It was produced in 1950 and later part of a Christie's auction.