Introduction:
Patek Philippe 2540J Carre' Cambre' square cushion shaped automatic watch. The watch is made in 18K yellow gold measuring 31mm wide x 41 mm long (lug to lug) The watch was made in 1955 and is fitted with a 12"-600 AT 30-jewel hand made automatic movement. #762519; case # 690136. The original factory dial is silvered with baton hands and baton hour markers-indexes. The watch is accompanied with its original 18K gold spring bars, Patek PP crown, Patek gold Deployant buckle. The watch is further accompanied with a brown leather strap, this is the same style that the watch was delivered with when new.
Essay:
The reference 2540 was in production from 1954 until 1960. This was Patek Philippe’s first square watch with an automatic movement. This model features the legendary 12’’’600 AT 30-jewel movement which remains regarded as one of the best automatic movements ever made. The same movement is found in the reference 2526, which was Patek Philippe’s first automatic wristwatch. Further it was also available in the 2551, 2552, Despite the case being only 315mm in either direction, the watch wears much larger than this given its square design, 44mm diagonally. This unusual case design was made by Ponti Gennari & Cie, Geneva Master Case Makers (Key 26). The watch caries the distinctive double P crown, first introduced on the reference .
Inspired by the Art Deco period, Patek Philippe has a rich history of producing watches in various shapes and forms. One of the most classic designs is their squared models with faceted lugs, such as the present reference 2540. In production from 1954 to the 1960s, this was Patek Philippe's first squared wristwatch fitted with an automatic movement. This original crown is signed with two back-to-back "P" letters, representing Patek Philippe’s first automatic caliber, the 12-600, which can also be found on the iconic reference 2526.