Patek Philippe 2526J - 1954 First Series - Enamel Dial - Extract

Patek Philippe Reference 2526J - First Series with Enamel Dial

A Foundational Self-Winding Patek Philippe with Quiet Authority and First Series Rarity

Technical Summary

All details are documented and disclosed to the best of our scholarly and technical ability.

TIMEPIECE IDENTIFICATION

• Brand: Patek Philippe
• Reference Number: 2526J
• Case Number: 682’076
• Movement Number: 760’556
• Unique Features: First Series, Grand Feu Enamel Dial

MECHANICAL SPECIFICATIONS

• Movement Type: Automatic
• Caliber Number: 12’’’600, self-winding, small seconds
• Frequency (vph): 19,800
• Jewels: 30
• Complications: Time-only
• Water Resistance Per Manufacturer: Originally rated as water-resistant via screw-down caseback; no recent pressure test conducted

DIMENSIONS & MATERIALS

• Case Diameter: 35.5 mm (excluding crown)
• Case Material: 18k Yellow Gold
• Bezel Type / Material: Domed polished bezel in yellow gold
• Crystal Type: Acrylic
• Lug Width: 18 mm
• Strap or Bracelet Material: Brown leather, crocodile grain
• Strap or Bracelet Color: Dark brown
• Buckle Type and Material: Authentic Patek Philippe period-correct tang buckle in yellow gold

AESTHETIC CHARACTERISTICS

• Dial Color: Ivory white
• Indices: Applied gold baton
• Hand Style: Dauphine
• Caseback Style: Screwback, solid
• Engravings: None

DOCUMENTATION & ACCESSORIES

• Original Box: No
• Original Papers: No
• Extract from the Archives: Yes. Issued January 15th, 2025
• Other Included Accessories: WRISTORIAN Certificate of Authenticity, high-resolution image set, archival summary, condition dossier

SERVICE HISTORY

• Last Serviced When: Unknown
• Serviced By Whom: Unknown
• Type of Service Performed: Unknown

CONDITION & AUTHENTICITY

• Condition Summary: Respectfully Preserved
• Authenticity: All visible components verified as original. Strap and crystal may have been replaced historically.
• Maintenance, Service, or Restoration Disclosure:
  • Strap shows signs of heavy wear but remains structurally sound
  • Buckle exhibits minor surface wear consistent with age
  • No cosmetic refinishing or mechanical servicing conducted by WRISTORIAN

PROVENANCE & PRODUCTION CONTEXT

• Year of Production: 1954
• Production Period: Manufactured between 1953 and 1960
• Provenance / Ownership History: Acquired directly by WRISTORIAN from a private U.S. collector. No prior documented chain of custody.

WRISTORIAN’s Perspective

The Patek Philippe Reference 2526 is where the modern lineage of self-winding precision begins, not in concept, but in execution. Introduced in 1953, this was the maison’s first automatic timepiece offered in serial production, marking the debut of the caliber 12’’’600 AT. A technical and philosophical departure from hand-wound traditions, the 2526 was the first expression of what a self-winding Patek Philippe could and should be.

This 2526J, case number 682’076 with movement number 760’556, was manufactured in 1954 and sold on August 27th of that same year. It represents what many collectors consider the most desirable iteration: First Series, enamel dial, and 18k yellow gold case. The dial, executed in Grand Feu enamel, remains ivory white, with no visible hairlines or restoration. Enamel dials of this period are notoriously fragile, and to find one this clean is to encounter the improbable.

Framed by a domed polished bezel, the dial features applied gold baton markers and dauphine hands—unassuming, legible, and deeply resolved in form. The case, measuring 35.5 mm, retains its proportional balance and mid-century contours. The gold hallmarks remain visible, and there is no evidence of overpolishing.

Internally, the caliber 12’’’600 AT is a technical triumph. With 30 jewels, a Gyromax balance, and a full-sized 18k gold rotor, it was both a visual and mechanical statement. Its 19,800 vph beat rate was high for its era, contributing to excellent timekeeping. The movement was not just reliable, it was beautifully finished, setting the stage for decades of automatic innovation.

This particular example was acquired with an authentic Patek Philippe brown leather strap. The strap shows considerable wear but remains structurally intact and usable. The strap displays characteristics consistent with crocodile, however, its authenticity as such cannot be definitively confirmed. The buckle is a period-correct Patek tang, showing minor surface wear consistent with careful long-term use.

While the precise service history is unknown, WRISTORIAN has elected not to open or alter the timepiece. In our judgment, the current configuration speaks strongly to originality, and we prefer to leave the decision of servicing to the next steward. As always, we welcome third-party verification and can provide macro photography of the dial, movement (if opened by the buyer), and caseback engraving upon request.

The timepiece is accompanied by a Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives, issued January 15th, 2025, which confirms its production and sale date. It also includes WRISTORIAN’s Certificate of Authenticity, archival summary, and digital documentation suite.

Conclusion

Some timepieces round out a collection. Others anchor it. The Patek Philippe 2526J, with its enamel dial, screw-down caseback, and groundbreaking automatic movement, belongs to the latter. For those who understand the reference, this is the one you wait for.

It doesn’t announce itself. It never had to.

Each WRISTORIAN timepiece is delivered with understated elegance, a rigorous scholarly dossier, and a clear account of its condition, originality, and any prior intervention, to the extent permitted by available evidence and expert review.