Patek Philippe Perpetual Calendar Chronograph 2499 Ref. 2499J Series 2

A grail watch for many, the 2499 is often seen as one of Patek's finest. It pairs a chronograph with a perpetual calendar and a sheer timeless design - arguably more so than its predecessor 1518 as well as its successor 3970. There are generally four versions of the 2499 to be distinguished: - first series: square chronograph buttons, applied Arabic numerals and tachymeter scale (1951-1955) - second series: round chronograph buttons, either applied baton or applied Arabic numerals and tachymeter scale, such as the watch pictured (1955-1960) - third series: round chronograph buttons, applied baton numerals and outer seconds divisions in 5' increments (1960-1978) -fourth series: round chronograph buttons, applied baton numerals, outer seconds divisions and sapphire crystal (1978-1985)