Introduced in 1962, the ref. 3448 was the only self-winding perpetual calendar wristwatch on the market for the following 16 years. Its production spanned approximately 23 years, with an estimated total of only 586 examples produced across all metals and four series.

The four series of ref. 3448 can be determined as such:

- The first series features small calendar ring, indexes closer to the center of the dial and engraved/enameled minute divisions.

- The second series introduces beady minute divisions.

- The third series maintains the beady divisions but introduces the large numerals for the date rings and indexes closer to the outer edge of the dial.

- The fourth series - exemplified by the present timepiece - features printed minute divisions.

The present example, from the fourth series, was manufactured in 1974 and is encased in classic 18K yellow gold. It is extraordinarily well-preserved and, in our opinion, is most likely unpolished, featuring very crisp facets and hallmark behind the lug.

To the best of our knowledge, this example is fresh to the auction market, and Phillips has previously sold two very similar examples. One, bearing the movement number 1'119'339, was featured in "The Geneva Watch Auction: NINE" in May 2019. Another, numbered 1’119’332, was sold at The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XI in November 2020. Notably, all these examples were manufactured from the same batch, featuring identical dial configurations.

As condition always comes first in the realm of vintage watch collecting, finding another ref. 3448 in a condition like the present watch could entail an interminable wait in the market, which makes this an opportunity not to be missed to acquire a fantastic perpetual calendar example.