Patek Philippe - The Geneva Watch Auction: THREE Geneva Saturday, May 14, 2016 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Patek Philippe
    Year: 1985
    Reference No: 3450
    Movement No: 1'119'821
    Case No: 2'808'573
    Material: 18k yellow gold
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 27-460QB, 37 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Leather
    Clasp/Buckle: 18k yellow gold Patek Philippe pin buckle
    Dimensions: 37.5mm. Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and pin buckle signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming year of production of the present watch in 1985 and its subsequent sale on July 26, 1985.
    Literature: An example of a ref. 3450 with Roman leap year indicator is illustrated and described in Patek Philippe Museum - Patek Philippe Watches - Volume II, p. 297. Inv. P-239

  • Catalogue Essay

    Introduced in 1981 as the successor of reference 3448 – Patek Philippe’s first self-winding perpetual calendar wristwatch – the reference 3450 houses the 27-460 QB caliber that incorporated a leap year indication for the first time in a Patek Philippe wristwatch. Built atop the same exquisite caliber as the 3448, the caliber 27-460 is considered by many connoisseurs, watchmakers, and scholars as one of the finest automatic movements ever produced by any brand.

    The present watch can certainly be considered as one of the most appealing and attractive yellow gold examples of the reference to appear on the market in recent years thanks to numerous distinguishing features. Whereas the present reference 3450 is from the last batch produced in 1985 it boasts a feature that is most popular amongst collectors and usually associated with the first generation of this model: the "red dot" leap year indicator, also known as "bollino rosso", charmingly nicknamed by Italian collectors. Technically speaking, the two generations are identical so it could well be that the leap year disc was exchanged upon request of the original owner, likely an important client of Tiffany & Co..

    Enhancing its desirability is its exceptional condition. Possibly never polished, it retains very sharp and well-defined bevels, original, superb satin finishing on the case and on the lugs, and two crisp, perfectly preserved hallmarks on the side of the case.

    Finally, the dial is signed by the prestigious retailer, "Tiffany & Co.". Crisply printed within the date chapter ring at 6 o’clock beneath the moon phase indicator, adding further to the rarity of an already exceptional watch. In fact scholarship has only accounted for five Tiffany&Co. signed reference 3450s to have been offered at public auctions. The present 3450, with all of its exciting details and superb state of preservation, is a rare opportunity for discerning collectors of complicated Patek Philippe watches.

  • 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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Ref. 3450
A highly exclusive and very attractive yellow gold perpetual calendar wristwatch with moon phases and "red dot" leap year indicator, retailed by Tiffany & Co.

1985
37.5mm. Diameter
Case, dial, movement and pin buckle signed

Estimate
CHF180,000 - 280,000 
€165,000-257,000
$186,000-289,000

Sold for CHF389,000

Contact Specialist
Nathalie Monbaron
+41 22 317 81 83

The Geneva Watch Auction: THREE

Geneva Auction 15 May 2016