Perpetual Calendar Chronograph 1518

In Context

At 35 mm it is classically proportioned: the size a dress watch was understood to be for most of the twentieth century, and small enough to sit under a cuff. The case back is closed, so the movement stays out of sight, and the plexiglass crystal scratches easily but polishes back out at home, which sapphire does not.

The movement is hand-wound, so winding it becomes part of the day rather than something the watch does for you. 42 hours of reserve carries it overnight, but not through a weekend in a drawer. At 18,000 vph the seconds hand advances 5 times a second, the slower and more audible rate of an older design.

1518J stands on its own in this catalogue — no other reference here shares its base number. It pairs a silver dial with a yellow gold case. Introduced in 1941. Beyond the time it carries a chronograph and a perpetual calendar.

Handwound chronograph movement with perpetual calendar based on a Valjoux ebauche.

4 other watches in the library run the Patek Philippe 13'''130 Q.

Patek Philippe

Perpetual Calendar Chronograph 2499

2449R Series 2 · 37.6 mm

Patek Philippe

Perpetual Calendar Chronograph 2499

2499J Series 3 · 37.6 mm

Patek Philippe

Perpetual Calendar Chronograph 1518 Stainless Steel

1518A · 35 mm

Patek Philippe

Perpetual Calendar Chronograph 2499

2499J Series 2 · 37.6 mm