Manufacturer: Patek Philippe Year: Circa 1963 Reference No: 3466 Movement No: 1'113'015 Case No: 2'626'978 Material: Stainless steel Calibre: Automatic, cal. 27-460, 37 jewels, stamped twice with the Geneva Seal Bracelet/Strap: Leather Dimensions: 35mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial and movement signed Accessories: Accompanied by Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch in 1963 and its subsequent sale on March 27, 1963.
Catalogue Essay
First introduced to the market in 1962, reference 3466 remained in production for approximately ten years before it was discontinued in the early 1970s. Cased in stainless steel, the model was a sporty and technical alternative to its time-only siblings dressed in precious metal. Stainless steel is much rarer compared to yellow gold in Patek Philippe's mid-century production.
This automatic reference is powered by hallowed caliber 27-460. This calibre is the final evolution of the legendary cal. 12-600, the first Patek Philippe automatic movement, result of literally decades (while waiting for Rolex's patent on the rotor to expire) of R&D, and today considered one of the greatest movements of all time. Introduced in the 1950s, cal. 12-600 was incrementally upgraded over the years. Once Patek deemed to have reached perfection, it changed the name of the caliber to the present 27-460, which will also be the base for the perpetual calendar automatic PP movements found in ref. 3448 and 3450.
Preserved in excellent condition, the stainless steel case still displays sharp edges. Furthermore, the watch features a charismatic soleil dial which arrives to us absolutely unspoiled, sporting properly raised engraved/enamel graphics and no flaw whatsoever.
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.