Cheap Fake Patek Philippe Shop for Gentlemen & Ladies
I previously mentioned that the 179 total examples of the Caliber 27SC Q movement were not exclusively used for the replica Patek Philippe ref. 2497. The rare - and arguably more intriguing - sibling to Patek Philippe's first center-seconds perpetual calendar watch is the waterproof ref. 2438/1. This model is nearly identical to the ref. 2497 in all aspects except one: its waterproof capability.
Thanks to order sheets from Wenger, we know that 65 confirmed examples of the fake Patek Philippe ref. 2438/1 were made. Of these, fifty were crafted in yellow gold and the remainder in pink gold, all featuring two-piece cases with screw backs made by Wenger. Almost every example is equipped with baton markers (second series, Mark II dials), and while some have luminous hands, most are similar to the "third series" ref. 2497. The main distinguishing feature between the ref. 2438/1 and the ref. 2497 is the screw-down back, making them nearly indistinguishable until flipped over. There are theories suggesting that cases were ordered for the ref. 2438/1 after the slowdown in demand for the ref. 2497, with movements and later dials repurposed for this reference. These watches were produced in three batches of serial numbers: the first series from 1954/1955, and the third in 1959. The first batch appears to run from serial numbers 888'099 to 888'110, the second from 888'135 to approximately 888'150, and the third from that number to 888'177, although some gaps remain to account for the total of 65.
With its waterproof case, the ref. 2438/1 represents the final evolution of Patek Philippe's center seconds QP design, combining sportiness and elegance. Only 28 of these watches have appeared at auction, typically about one or two examples per year, consistently fetching between $300,000 and $400,000. In my opinion, there are three standout examples. Earlier this year in Monaco, I was fortunate to see the first: a Tiffany-signed ref. 2438/1 in yellow gold with an HOX stamp on the movement, indicating it was designated for the American market. Another notable piece is a yellow-gold ref. 2438/1 with a black dial and luminous dauphine hands, signed "Hölscher," currently held by prominent Italian collectors. Lastly, my personal favorite is a pink gold copy Patek Philippe ref. 2438/1 with luminous hands and markers, which looks truly incredible.
Exact Duplicate Patek Philippe Watches for Sale Online
For those who have followed along this far, I appreciate your dedication and hope you found the information insightful. By now, you should be able to distinguish between the various series of the super clone Patek Philippe ref. 2497 (and ref. 2438/1). However, the best is yet to come. One point I may not have emphasized enough earlier is that the ref. 2497 served as a platform for some of the most creative and attractive unique variations ever produced during Patek Philippe's heyday. It would be challenging to find a ref. 2499 that matches the thoughtful design of some of the watches you will see in part two.
For the lucky few in a position to use this information to purchase a watch, I will also examine the current state of the market and what to expect in terms of prices. Finally, I will share my perspective on the legacy of the ref. 2497 and its impact on the modern Patek Philippe replica watches catalog.
One million dollars is an extraordinary amount to spend on a watch - any watch. The clean, round number has always intrigued me, and some time ago, I explored what makes a watch fetch a million dollars at auction today. The reality is that all kinds of replica luxury watches can reach that price point. However, one factor has remained fairly consistent: the watch generally needs to appear at one of the major auction houses.
Last week, on July 4th, a Patek Philippe ref. 2497 perpetual calendar sold for $1.15 million (€1.06 million all-in) at a small auction house in Madrid. This pink gold Patek is just the seventh known of its kind, underscoring a long-held belief among dealers and collectors: there are very few secrets left in the world of vintage Patek Philippe or Rolex replica watches today. And that wasn't the only notable result last week. In the same sale, a pink gold Calatrava 96 fetched $89,000 (€82,500), likely a record for this model. A few days earlier, a fake Rolex Daytona ref. 6241 Paul Newman sold for $293,700 at a small auction outside Paris.
AAA+ 1:1 Patek Philippe Watches with Swiss Movements
These impressive results got me thinking. As Vince Lombardi might say, "What the hell is going on out there?" And was this really a million-dollar Patek?
In many ways, it's reflective of the broader trend: technology has made the world instantly connected. However, the details make it more interesting.
Any serious dealer is monitoring and receiving daily notifications from various platforms that aggregate auctions worldwide. Rest assured, they all have a saved search for "Patek" (and common misspellings for the savvy ones). These online aggregators make it easy for anyone with a phone and basic knowledge to explore even the most obscure auction houses. The challenge then shifts from finding these Swiss replica watches to evaluating them for condition, originality, and rarity.
"These pieces, especially from the imitation Patek Philippe, rarely go under the radar," vintage dealer Ignacio Coll of Ancienne Watches in Barcelona told me. I reached out to Coll because he had posted a video where he traveled to Madrid to inspect and bid on both the million-dollar ref. 2497 and the Calatrava 96.
According to the auction house, the 2497 perpetual calendar came from the original owner's family through a woman who inherited it from her husband, who owned a jewelry shop.
This wasn't just any 2497, but a first series in pink gold - distinguished by its alternating Arabic numerals and Vichet case - making it only the seventh known example. Last year, I wrote about Peter Knoll's pink gold 2497, which eventually sold for about $1.5 million. So, we already know to expect significant results for a 2497, especially a rare version like this. Anyway, I am interested in the counterfeit Patek Philippe watches very much.