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

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  • Manufacturer: Patek Philippe
    Year: 1975
    Reference No: 3448
    Movement No: 1'119'387
    Case No: 331'543
    Model Name: "Padellone"
    Material: 18k white gold
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 27-460Q, 37 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Crocodile
    Clasp/Buckle: Patek Philippe 18k white gold buckle
    Dimensions: 37.5mm. Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch in 1975 and its subsequent sale on January 29th, 1975.

  • Catalogue Essay

    Reference 3448, introduced into the market in 1962, was the first self-winding perpetual calendar wristwatch made by any brand. According to scholarship, a total of 586 examples were made, the majority in yellow gold cases. Few watches have been cased in white gold, with only two examples in platinum, and only one example in pink gold known to date.

    Reference 3448 was fitted with the celebrated caliber 27-460, amongst the most sophisticated and lavishly built automatic movements ever made. It was later upgraded with Patek Philippe's patented perpetual mechanism fitted on the movement plate underneath the dial and renamed 27-460 Q. In 1981, reference 3450 was introduced into the market with the improved 27'460 QB (Quantime Bissextile) calibre.

    The present white gold "Padellone", the nickname given to the reference 3448 by Italian watch collectors, is a premium example of this timeless model. One of the later models of the reference, it features elements of the late 1970s production run, most notably, a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal. It is blessed with several other attributes making it stand out from the larger field of references 3448. The day and month indicators of the calendar are displayed in German – a rare configuration. Never having appeared before at auction, this watch was part of a distinguished private collection for many years, where it was treated with utmost care and respect. An ultimate dress watch for a gentleman, the present lot is a rare opportunity for connoisseurs of complicated Patek Philippe wristwatches.

  • 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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Σ238

Ref. 3448
A very rare and attractive white gold perpetual calendar wristwatch with moon phase

1975
37.5mm. Diameter
Case, dial, movement and buckle signed

Estimate
CHF200,000 - 300,000 
€184,000-275,000
$206,000-309,000

Sold for CHF353,000

Contact Specialist
Nathalie Monbaron
+41 22 317 81 83

The Geneva Watch Auction: THREE

Geneva Auction 15 May 2016