Manufacturer: Patek Philippe Year: 1984 Reference No: 3450 Movement No: 1'119'730 Case No: 2'788'615 Material: 18K yellow gold Calibre: Automatic, cal. 27-460QB, 37 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Leather Clasp/Buckle: 18K yellow gold PPCo pin buckle Dimensions: 37.5mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed Accessories: Accompanied by original fitted box and Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch in 1984 and its subsequent sale on December 4, 1984.
Catalogue Essay
It is incredible how since the launch of its first perpetual calendar, the reference 1526 in 1941, Patek Philippe has been the forerunner in this complication where each new reference has not only seen groundbreaking achievements but has also become iconic and coveted.
Reference 3450 is no exception.
Launched in 1981, reference 3450 was the successor of reference 3448, Patek Philippe's very first automatic perpetual calendar wristwatch. While physically similar to reference 3448, it features a leap year indicator on the dial. In addition, its caseback is slightly smaller and is fitted with a "tongue", enabling it to be easily removed by a watchmaker.
The present watch, manufactured in 1984, is among the very last generation of reference 3450s ever made before the introduction of reference 3940. While the first generation examples were fitted with a "red dot" to indicate the fourth leap year, second generation examples like the present model displayed Roman numerals I, II, III and IV.
Underneath the moonphase display is the prestigious Beyer signature. The retailer Beyer Chronometrie, founded in 1760 by Matthias Beyer, presently located in Zürich since 1927, has been a preeminent destination for those seeking the finest luxury watches for over two hundred years. Producing their own honey in beehives located on the roof of their exclusive location, Beyer has a world-class watch and clock museum on premises. Having sold Patek Philippe timepieces since 1842, it is natural then that Beyer was one of the few retailers allowed to print their name on a Patek Philippe dial.
The present reference 3450 was originally sold in Switzerland. The current owner purchased it from a well respected watchmaker having worked for many years at Beyer, and who shortly before his retirement obtained the extreme privilege of obtaining a Beyer signed dial for his reference 3450 which he proudly swapped with the original one.
Fresh to the market, this reference 3450 is in exceptional condition. Most probably 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. The original factory sticker is still present on the caseback. It is further accompanied by its original fitted box.
To date, scholars estimate that Patek Philippe produced only 237 examples of the reference 3450 in total and as such the present example is a rare opportunity that should not to be missed.
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.
Ref. 3450 A rare, attractive and exceptionally well preserved yellow gold perpetual calendar wristwatch with moonphases, leap year indicator and fitted presentation box
1984 37.5mm Diameter Case, dial, movement and buckle signed