Patek Philippe - The Geneva Watch Auction: XIII Geneva Saturday, May 8, 2021 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Patek Philippe
    Year: 1984
    Reference No: 3450
    Movement No: 1'119'688
    Case No: 2'805'696
    Model Name: "Padellone"
    Material: 18K yellow gold
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 27-460Q, 37 jewels, stamped twice with the Geneva Seal
    Bracelet/Strap: Patek Philippe leather strap
    Clasp/Buckle: 18K yellow gold Patek Philippe pin buckle
    Dimensions: 37.5mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement, strap and clasp signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch in 1984 and its subsequent sale on February 20, 1984.

  • Catalogue Essay

    Launched in 1981, reference 3450 was the successor to reference 3448 - Patek Philippe's very first automatic perpetual calendar wristwatch. While aesthetically similar to reference 3448, it most notably features a leap year indicator on the dial. In addition, its case back is slightly smaller and is fitted with a "tongue", enabling it to be easily removed. It in fact is the first serially made Patek Philippe wristwatch featuring leap year indication allowing for an easier setting of the exact date; earlier models required a potentially very lengthy synchronisation procedure to manually identify the leap year and then advance to the current year in the cycle.

    The present watch, manufactured in 1985, is a representative of the “second series” of reference 3450s. While the first generation examples were fitted with a "red dot" to indicate the leap year, second generation examples displayed Roman numerals I, II, III and IV, like the present model. 

    Patek Philippe produced very limited quantities of reference 3450, typically casing the model in yellow gold. To date, scholars estimate that Patek Philippe produced only 237 examples in total, making it one of the rarest Patek Philippe perpetual calendar models ever produced in series.

    The present example is a rare variation of the model as it features German calendar discs - as opposed to the English ones usually found on the model. Only 12 examples of second series 3450 in yellow gold are known with this calendar.

    This specimen was last seen on the public market in Geneva in 2002, it is a pleasure for us to bring back to the public this lost gem nearly 20 years after its last appearance.

  • 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 very rare, collectible and refined yellow gold perpetual calendar automatic wristwatch with moonphases and German calendar

1984
37.5mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement, strap and clasp signed

Estimate
CHF150,000 - 250,000 
€136,000-227,000
$163,000-272,000

Sold for CHF201,600

Contact Specialist

Alexandre Ghotbi
Head of Watches, Continental Europe and the Middle East

41 79 637 1724
aghotbi@phillips.com

 

 

The Geneva Watch Auction: XIII

Geneva Auction 8 - 9 May 2021