It is regarded as one of the most visually captivating and historically significant wristwatches ever made. And now an 18k yellow gold Patek Philippe Ref. 2523 two-crown world-time wristwatch with a polychrome cloisonné enamel dial depicting a map of South America is coming up for auction in May in Geneva. Made in 1953, the watch is one of only two examples known in 18k yellow gold with the South America map and the only one ever to previously appear at public auction (in October 1988 in New York). It will be offered as Lot 27 in the Phillips Geneva Watch Auction: XXIII on May 9th and 10th with an estimate in excess of  5,000,000 Swiss francs ($US 6.3 million). This particular example was last seen publicly in October 1988 at an auction in New York. Preserved in remarkable condition, the watch displays a crisp case and a flawless enamel dial whose vibrant colors and fine details remain beautifully preserved. Phillips in association with Bacs & Russo announced this exceptional watch news in Geneva on March 12th. The Ref. 2523 was produced in extremely limited numbers. Scholarship suggests that between 29 and 36 examples were manufactured in total across all dial variations and metals. 

“The Patek Philippe World-Time Ref. 2523 with South America cloisonné dial is one of the great treasures of vintage watchmaking,” said Aurel Bacs, Senior Consultant, and Alexandre Ghotbi, Head of Watches, Europe and Middle East, Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo. “Its appearance at auction is an event that collectors may witness only once in a generation. With just two examples known in yellow gold and none having appeared at auction in nearly four decades, this watch represents an extraordinary moment for the vintage Patek Philippe market.” Special to The Gourmet Gazette. https://www.phillips.com/