Patek Philippe - The Hong Kong Watch Auction: SIX Hong Kong Monday, May 28, 2018 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Patek Philippe
    Year: 1960
    Reference No: 3429
    Movement No: 1'111'226
    Case No: 2'614'621
    Material: 18K pink gold
    Calibre: automatic, cal. 27-460, 34 jewels, stamped twice with the Geneva seal
    Bracelet/Strap: leather strap
    Clasp/Buckle: associated 18K pink gold pin buckle
    Dimensions: 35mm diameter
    Signed: case, dial and movement signed by maker, dial further signed by retailer
    Accessories: accompanied by Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch in 1960 and its subsequent sale on November 17, 1960

  • Catalogue Essay

    This exceedingly rare example of reference 3429 is highlighted not only by its warm pink gold case, but even by the presence of historical Milan-based retailer Gobbi. The relationship between Gobbi and Patek Philippe gave origin to some of the most coveted and collectible timepieces by the brand, such as a black-dialled 2526 signed by Gobbi, or the blue enamel pink gold 2523, once again with signed dial. In production from 1960 to 1969, reference 3429 is a very elusive watch, especially in this configuration: so far, the market has seen only eight pink gold examples and out of these eight only three - including the rpesent piece - bear this iconic signature.

    The reference is powered by calibre 27-460, which happens to be an evolution of undisputedly the most celebrated, lavish and arguably accurate automatic calibre of all times: cal. 12-600. Compared to its ancestor, it features one main upgrade: the jewel supporting the rotor has been replaced by a flatter ball-bearing system, featuring a new adjustable balance spring stud carrier. In fact, beyond this difference, the movement is exactly the same as cal. 12-600, which underwent itself a series of incremental upgrades through the years, however without changes to its name. The new calibre designation reserved for this final upgrade indicates that finally Patek Philippe deemed to have achieved perfection for its automatic calibre, and thus gave a new name to the final evolution.

  • 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.

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Σ860

Ref. 3429
An extremely fine and very rare pink gold automatic wristwatch retailed by Gobbi, Milano

1960
35mm diameter
case, dial and movement signed by maker, dial further signed by retailer

Estimate
HK$80,000 - 120,000 
€8,800-13,200
$10,300-15,400

Sold for HK$87,500

Contact Specialist

Thomas Perazzi
Head of Watches, Asia
+852 2318 2001
thomasperazzi@phillips.com

Ziyong Ho
Specialist
+852 9386 2032
ziyongho@phillips.com

Jill Chen
Specialist
+852 2318 2033
jillchen@phillips.com

The Hong Kong Watch Auction: SIX

Hong Kong Auction 29 May 2018