Manufacturer: Patek Philippe Year: 1962 Reference No: 3433 Movement No: 1'112'383 Case No: 2'624'656 Material: 18k white gold Calibre: Automatic, 27-460 Bracelet/Strap: Crocodile Clasp/Buckle: 18k white gold, signed PPC Dimensions: 36mm. Diameter Signed:Case, dial and movement signed Accessories:Original Certificate and sales tag. Further accompanied by Extract from the Archives confirming production of present watch in 1962 and subsequent sale on November 6th, 1962. Provenance: Property from an Important Private Collector
Provenance
Property from an Important Private Collector
Catalogue Essay
Collectors of vintage wristwatches, paying attention to condition, often regret that there is no time-machine available to them, travelling back to the 1950’s or 1960’s and secure their vintage wristwatch, together with all its accessories. The present white gold example of reference 3433, one of only three known today, can offer some help as it is not only preserved in excellent condition but, quite remarkably, has still its original certificate and even the hand-numbered, numbered hanging tag.
The present white gold example of reference 3433, one of only three known today, can offer some help as it is not only preserved in excellent condition but, quite remarkably, has still its original certificate and even the hand-numbered hanging tag. Reference 3433 was launched in 1960 and was the direct successor to reference 2551. It was fitted with calibre 27-460, newly introduced in the same year. The present example has been acquired by the present owner nearly ten years ago at auction and has remained since then in his private collection.
Since its founding in 1839, this famous Geneva-based firm has been surprising its clientele with superbly crafted timepieces fitted with watchmaking's most prestigious complications. Traditional and conservative designs are found across Patek Philippe's watches made throughout their history — the utmost in understated elegance.
Well-known for the Graves Supercomplication — a highly complicated pocket watch that was the world’s most complicated watch for 50 years — this family-owned brand has earned a reputation of excellence around the world. Patek's complicated vintage watches hold the highest number of world records for results achieved at auction compared with any other brand. For collectors, key models include the reference 1518, the world's first serially produced perpetual calendar chronograph, and its successor, the reference 2499. Other famous models include perpetual calendars such as the ref. 1526, ref. 3448 and 3450, chronographs such as the reference 130, 530 and 1463, as well as reference 1436 and 1563 split seconds chronographs. Patek is also well-known for their classically styled, time-only "Calatrava" dress watches, and the "Nautilus," an iconic luxury sports watch first introduced in 1976 as the reference 3700 that is still in production today.