Christie’s is currently hosting The Dubai Edit online auction, featuring a collection of 306 clocks and watches. Among the highlights is the captivating Patek Philippe Ref. 2573, aptly described as a pearl-scale watch. Notably, Patek Philippe is often referred to as the “Pearl of the Persian Gulf.” The auction saw the Pearl of the Persian Gulf, the Patek Philippe Ref. 2573, fetching an impressive sale price of US$214,200, adding to its allure and prestige in the world of horology.
PATEK PHILIPPE PEARL OF THE GULF Ref. 2573 “Pearl of the Persian Gulf” was customized by King Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa of Bahrain.
The moniker “Pearl” finds its origin in the distinctive pearl scale adorning the watch’s dial. The King of Bahrain personally customized the exquisite scale for the Patek Philippe Ref. 2573, incorporating the highest-grade sub-pearls. Significantly, these sub-pearls hail from Bahrain, a region renowned for its expertise in producing exceptional pearls. The connection to Bahrain’s rich tradition of pearl cultivation adds an extra layer of significance and cultural resonance to the watch.
Given that the pearl hour markers possess a height surpassing the standard markers, the hour and minute hands of the Persian Gulf Pearl are intentionally elevated. Notably, the top of the minute hand features a unique curvature, a distinctive enhancement ensuring its safe passage through the space between the hour markers and the watch’s crystal when moving above the pearl hour markers. This thoughtful design element showcases meticulous attention to detail, marrying both functionality and aesthetics in the pursuit of an exceptional timekeeping experience.
The strap, crafted by the renowned strap manufacturer GAY FRÈRES, features an 18K hardened composition. The chain links exhibit a distinctive design, transitioning from wide to narrow, and are adorned with a delicate herringbone pattern on the surface. This intricate detailing not only contributes to the visual uniqueness of the strap but also enhances its tactile appeal, ensuring a luxurious and exceptional feel.
The Persian Gulf Pearl is equipped with Patek Philippe’s own 23-300 manual winding movement. The other two Bahrain Pearl movements are 10-200 movements.
Judging from the serial number, this Persian Gulf Pearl is the earliest one among all the pearl series discovered so far.
Pearl of Bahrain
In addition to the featured Persian Gulf Pearl in this auction, there are also two rose gold Bahrain Pearls. The Persian Gulf Pearl boasts a chain-style strap, while the Bahrain Pearl features a leather strap. Christie’s posits that this Ref. 2573 “Pearl of the Persian Gulf” and the other two rose gold Ref. 2573 “Pearl of Bahrain” should be considered a complete set. Both the Pearl of Bahrain and the Pearl of the Persian Gulf were crafted and customized by Patek Philippe at the behest of the King of Bahrain. Despite variations in case material and strap style, all three watches share an identical appearance, with a dial adorned with pearl hour markers. This consistent design suggests that these watches may have been produced concurrently, forming a cohesive and harmonious set.
The Bahrain Pearl is a belt model and is equipped with a 10-200 movement. It was produced in 1958 and sold on June 26, 1959. It was a gift from the King of Bahrain that year. Gift from American Advisors. In recent years, there have been two auction records: Christie’s New York in 2015, which sold for US$437,000, and Christie’s in Geneva in 2018, which sold for CHF 250,000.
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