Patek Philippe - The Geneva Watch Auction: SEVEN Geneva Saturday, May 12, 2018 | Phillips

Create your first list.

Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.

  • Manufacturer: Patek Philippe
    Year: 1966 (cased in platinum in 1997)
    Reference No: 3448
    Movement No: 1'119'056
    Case No: 2'998'717
    Model Name: "Padellone"
    Material: Platinum
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 27-460Q, 37 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Leather
    Clasp/Buckle: Platinum PPCo pin buckle
    Dimensions: 37.5mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by original dial and Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch in 1966 and the subsequent replacement of the case with a platinum one bearing the number 2'998'717 in 1997

  • Catalogue Essay

    No other brand can be so closely associated to perpetual calendar wristwatches than Patek Philippe. The famed Geneva brand was the first to offer this complication in a “series” produced wristwatch with the launch of reference 1526 in 1941.

    Patek Philippe’s groundbreaking reference 3448, launched in 1962, was the world's first self-winding perpetual calendar wristwatch. Nicknamed the “Padellone” by Italian collectors, the reference is adored by collectors for its oversized, 37.5 mm diameter case with clean, angular lines and dial with perfect harmony and symmetry. According to scholarship, there were 586 examples manufactured, the majority in yellow gold, a small number in white gold, one known in pink gold and only two in platinum like the present example.

    In 1981, Patek Philippe discontinued the 3448, introducing the reference 3450, with a leap year indication.

    Only a prominent collector with high standing with the Stern family (the owners of Patek Philippe) could obtain the utmost privilege of having a special platinum cased reference 3448. It is believed the original owner of a white gold 3448 contacted Patek Philippe for this special project in 1997. This reference had been discontinued for 16 years and therefore the only way to satisfy this request was to use the existing movement from the collector’s own reference 3448 and have a brand new platinum case specially made.

    Patek Philippe turned to casemaker extraordinaire Jean-Pierre Hagmann (whose hallmark “JPH” is prominently stamped inside the caseback) to undertake this painstaking…and exciting task. Jean-Pierre Hagmann is most certainly the most famous casemaker in the Swiss watch industry, having worked for the majority of haute horology brands and responsible for the cases of Patek Philippe’s minute repeaters thanks to which the chimes are so singular and seraphic.

    The dial the watch was originally mounted with showing strong patina, the owner of the present reference 3448 mounted it with a period correct new old stock dial with perfect and crisp hard enamel signature and numerals. The original dial is nevertheless offered with this timepiece.

    The case not only impresses with its amazing condition with strong angles to the lugs but also due to the sheer heft of the platinum.

    This reference 3448 in platinum is only one of two known models cased in this noble metal, the other having a dial with sapphire indexes making the present model truly unique.

    The present watch is exceptional not only due to its unique configuration and condition but also thanks to the singular story behind its creation and a true grail for the connoisseur.

  • Artist Biography

    Patek Philippe

    Swiss • 1839

    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.

    View More Works

224

Ref. 3448
An exceptional, unique and well preserved platinum perpetual calendar wristwatch with moonphases

1966 (cased in platinum in 1997)
37.5mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement and buckle signed

Estimate
CHF500,000 - 1,000,000 
€429,000-857,000
$529,000-1,060,000

Sold for CHF1,092,500

Contact Specialist
Alexandre Ghotbi
Head of Sale
+41 22 317 81 81
aghotbi@phillips.com

The Geneva Watch Auction: SEVEN

Geneva Auction 12-13 May 2018