MK Personal Collection Extremely Rare Men's Patek Philippe Gubelin Astronomic Moonphase Wristwatch Ref 2438-1

MK Personal Collection: Extremely Rare Men's Patek Philippe Gubelin Astronomic Moonphase Wristwatch Ref 2438-1 Circa 1958 This 18k yellow gold gentleman's wristwatch, retailed by Gubelin, is a remarkable piece. The watch features a perpetual calendar, moon phases, and an 18k yellow gold Patek Philippe buckle, Ref 2438-1, Serial #2602742. The watch is powered by a Cal. 27SCQ damascene nickel lever movement, stamped twice with the Geneva seal. It has an 18-jewel bi-metallic compensation balance, adjusted to heat, cold, isochronism, and five positions, precision regulator Serial #888.142. The watch is adorned with an original " silvered dial, applied faceted baton numerals, blued steel center seconds hand, apertures for day and month, subsidiary dial for date combined with an aperture for moon phases, and an outer track calibrated for seconds. Its screw-down case back measures 44.00mm x 38.49mm including the crown. The watch was manufactured from 1958 to 1963, and Reference 2438-1 holds the distinction of being the first water-resistant-type perpetual calendar wristwatch produced in series by any company. The combined total production of Ref. 2497 and 2438-1 was just 179 pieces, with only 20 yellow gold Ref. 2438-1 models sold at major auctions. A significant aspect of the Ref. 2438-1's aesthetic appeal comes from its iconic lugs, characterized by the carved groove along the upper outer edges, a feature it shares with the Ref. 2499. This detail enhances the overall look of the watch, giving it a subtle yet stately presence, establishing it as one of watch collecting's all-time classics. The present watch belongs to the model’s second series, featuring a second series Mark I dial. The first series Ref. 2438 is identified by its applied Arabic numerals and feuille hands. The second series, like the present model, has two dial variations: Mark I with applied five-facet "bullet" baton numerals and dauphine hands, and Mark II with shorter four-facet baton numerals. History of the Model: The Patek Philippe Ref. 2438-1 is a landmark in horology, as it was the first water-resistant perpetual calendar wristwatch produced in series. This model, along with its sibling Ref. 2497, signifies Patek Philippe’s pioneering spirit in combining water-resistance with complex perpetual calendar mechanisms. The production spanned from 1958 to 1963, during which only a select number of these masterpieces were crafted, making them highly coveted among collectors. The watch's distinctive lugs, borrowed from the Ref. 2499, and its detailed dial variations further cement its status as a timeless classic in the realm of luxury timepieces.