1056Σ︎
Patek Philippe
Ref. 3450
“Padellone”
An unpolished, exceptionally well-preserved and rare yellow gold perpetual calendar wristwatch with German calendar, moon phases, leap year indication, Certificate of Origin, setting pin and presentation box
Full-Cataloguing
- Offered by the family of the original owner
- Unpolished case with a layer of gorgeous patina
- Complete with Certificate of Origin by German retailer matching the German calendar
- Caseback engraved with initials of the original owner
- Final production period of ref. 3450
Launched in 1981, the reference 3450 succeeded the reference 3448 as the next evolution in Patek Philippe’s lineage of automatic perpetual calendar wristwatches. Adhering closely to the design language of its predecessor, it introduced a discreet aperture at 4 o’clock to display the leap year indication without disrupting the balanced proportions of the dial. While first series examples feature a simple red disk, the second series—as showcased in the present example—utilizes Roman numerals I, II, III and IV for the leap year indication.
Prior to the reference 3450, perpetual calendar wristwatches required a manual, synchronized setup to align the leap year before setting the calendar. The reference 3450 marked Patek Philippe’s first serially produced perpetual calendar to integrate a leap year display alongside an upgraded, user-friendly calendar mechanism. The case construction was also subtly updated, featuring a slightly smaller caseback with a subtle lip that allows easier access to the movement when serviced.
At its heart, the reference 3450 is powered by the cal. 27-460 QB (Quantième Bissextile), incorporating the perpetual calendar module into Patek Philippe's legendary automatic base calibre. This calibre represents the final development step of the architecture that originated with the cal. 12-600, Patek Philippe’s inaugural self-winding movement introduced in 1953. Following years of refinement, the cal. 27-460 QB stands as the most sophisticated iteration of this vintage automatic movement family.
Produced for just four years before being succeeded by the reference 3940 in 1985, the reference 3450 saw an extremely limited production run. Approximately 248 total examples were made in yellow gold (alongside just two known white gold pieces), making it one of the rarest serially produced perpetual calendar references in Patek Philippe’s history. Dating to circa 1984, the present example hails from the final production period of this short-lived model.
Offered by the family of the original owner, this timepiece is preserved in exceptional condition, featuring razor-sharp bevels and two hallmarks on the caseband that remain as deep and crisp as the day they were stamped. The case surface has developed a fantastic layer of patina, offering clear evidence that the watch sat untouched in a safe for a long period. Delivered as a complete set with its original Certificate of Origin stamped by a German retailer, the icing on the cake is the German calendar disc that matches its provenance, alongside the original owner's initials proudly engraved on the caseback. This wonderful example offers collectors an extraordinarily rare and well-documented specimen of vintage Patek Philippe scholarship.
Patek Philippe
Swiss | 1839Since 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.