Yesterday, I decided to binge-watch the new Netflix series ‘The Gentlemen’ and all I can say is that not only it is an incredibly well-produced show —engaging, with high production values, terrific cast, scenery, and very entertaining—, but the watch candy and watch-related conversations in it are also amazing. The U.K. series was produced and directed by Guy Ritchie with actress Kaya Scodelario as Miss Susie Glass and Theo James as Eddie Horniman revolves around an aristocrat in the U.K. who inherits the family estate, to then discover that it's home to an enormous weed empire and its proprietors aren't going anywhere. Within the plot, the different characters are involved in a world of luxury that includes cars, watches, and more.
On the wrists of different characters, I was able to spot several amazing watches including a Patek Philippe Nautilus ref. 5711/1R, a Richard Mille, an F.P. Journe and several Rolexes. However, two scenes during different episodes are the ones that stuck with me.
On one of them, there is a very interesting conversation about a Patek Philippe ref. 1518 which happens to be my absolute grail. Another pivotal scene closes with a line by Miss Susie Glass that will forever be engrained in my mind when she says: “Watches are for retirement.”
The Patek Philippe ref. 1518 is my ultimate grail for many reasons and these are just some of them.
What makes the Patek Philippe ref. 1518 so special, is the fact that it is the world’s first perpetual calendar chronograph produced in series and only 281 examples of it were ever produced. Additionally, the majority were manufactured in yellow gold, with around 44 pieces produced in pink gold and only four known to exist in stainless steel.
When a Patek Philippe reference 1518 is offered for sale, collectors pay attention. For the most experienced collectors, an 18K pink gold example of reference 1518 sits in the pinnacle of watch collecting. But then, there is the stainless steel version. So rare that most collectors have never actually seen one in the flesh and I am lucky enough to have perused one, photographed it, and even strapped it to my wrist at the time.
The reference 1518 —especially in stainless steel— is so rare that there isn’t an example in the world’s most important and complete collection of Patek Philippe watches which is the Patek Philippe Museum in Geneva.
Breaking all records ever set at auction for a Patek Philippe wristwatch, an ultra-rare, and legendary Patek Philippe reference 1518 in stainless steel sold on November 12th, 2016 for CHF 9.6 Million Swiss Francs plus 12% buyer's premium —totaling CHF 10,752,000 Swiss Francs, roughly USD 11 Million at the time— at the Phillips Auction FOUR at the Hôtel La Réserve in Genève.
Produced from 1941 to the early 1950s, the Patek Philippe reference 1518 was the pinnacle of watchmaking when it was introduced. Integrating a full perpetual calendar with a chronograph was a feat of horology that no other watch manufacturer but Patek Philippe could create during this era.
The legendary Reference 1518 was the company’s rebirth of its founding principles after the company was acquired by the Stern Family in 1932. The reference 1518 became the world’s first perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch to ever be produced in a series by any manufacturer.
Manufactured by Patek Philippe in 1943 during World War II, reference 1518 is equipped with a case measuring 35 mm in diameter.
A watch so legendary that has now even made it to the screenplay of a Netflix series. The best part is that reference 1518 plays an important part in the scene of Netflix’s ‘The Gentlemen’ and it wasn’t included as an afterthought. Watch the series, watch those scenes I am talking about, and dream of owning one of these beauties one day. The Gentlemen Netflix series is a ‘Must Watch’ for everyone whether you love watches or not.
For more info on Patek Philippe click here and for The Gentleman on Netflix here.
