Reference 3448 was launched in 1962 and remained in production for twenty years, before being replaced by its slightly more advanced descendant reference 3450 which features a leap year indication. It was made in yellow, white and pink gold with two pieces cased in platinum for a total of only 586 pieces. The movement beating inside this landmark model is a masterpiece of engineering with the addition of a perpetual/moonphase module to cal. 27-460, which is the final evolution of cal. 12-600 (the one powering ref. 2526), and universally considered one of the best automatic movements (if not the best automatic movement) of all times.
One of the most impressive of all reference 3448s to grace the market in recent years, this example is a sight to behold. Originally consigned at auction in Geneva by the original owner in Japan, it had made a then-record of CHF 629,000 when sold at auction in 2016.
It is a study of how any reference 3448 should look. Most probably unpolished, it displays all factory finishes, from the mini bevels on the side of the lugs, to the multi faceted bezel, and even the crisp hallmarks beneath the lugs. The razor-sharp edges, along with contrasting polished and brushed finishes are undoubtedly original.
Most importantly, the dial is presented in a previously never-seen-before configuration, rendering the present timepiece possible unique. Prior to the discovery of the present timepiece in 2016, it was generally accepted that the "standard" (ie non-special dials such as a luminous one) reference 3448 was available with four different dial styles:
-enamelled small baton minute divisions (1962 to circa 1965);
-pearl minute divisions and small date ring (1965 to circa 1973);
-pearl minute divisions and large date ring (1971 to circa 1978);
-printed (not enamelled) small baton minute divisions after 1978
The present watch is part of the very last series with pearled minute divisions and small date ring dial, dating to 1973. It futhermore features an astoundingly rare detail: a reversed date ring, with the numerals on the lower half upside down. Such reversed date rings were used for a very short period of time at the beginning of the seventies, with small reversed date rings, as seen on the present watch, being even rarer than their large counterparts.
However, what turns this already-rare dial configuration to possibly unique, is the addition of the "sigma" designation. The sigma designation, also known as the "Aprior" dials, identifies gold numerals on the dial. Due to a change in Swiss law and regulation, all dials produced from 1971 feature this designation, which was eventually phased out approximately a decade later.
However, before using the new "Sigma" dials, Patek Philippe had use their existing stock of dials made before 1971. As such, the "Aprior" logo was added on existing stock dials. Furthermore, 1973 is the last year we can find ref. 3448 mounting a dial with the small date ring: the present watch features one of the exceedingly few dials with both reversed small date ring and "Aprior" designation. It is a safe assumption that such dials were only ever produced between 1971 and 1972, making their last appearance on finished pieces in 1973.
The dial itself remains in exceptional condition. All graphics are crisp and there are furthermore barely any signs of ageing.
An added detail of interest is the plentitude of accessories that accompany the timepiece, such as the Certificate of Origin indicating the watch was sold in Japan, a period polishing cloth, Patek Philippe Japan documents, a folio and original presentation box.
Such bullet proof and virtually faultless reference 3448s are incredibly hard to come by and when one does come on the market, it presents a very rare opportunity to acquire a watch that is a "best" in its category, rendering it a trophy timepiece.
