Manufacturer: Patek Philippe Year: 1963 Reference No: 3466 Movement No: 1'113'029 Case No: 2'627'020 Material: Stainless steel Calibre: Automatic, cal. 27-460, 37 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Vintage leather Patek Philippe strap Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Patek Philippe pin buckle stamped PPCo Dimensions: 35mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and pin buckle 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. Literature: A similar example is illustrated in Patek Philippe Steel Watches by John Goldberger pages 354 and 355.
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.
Preserved in excellent condition, this reference 3466 is one of the earliest known examples to appear at auction. The stainless steel case is preserved in excellent condition, displaying bold proportions. Furthermore, the watch features a charismatic silvered dial that has turned an even and strong ivory tone. All hard enamel details are raised and prominent, showing that the dial has received no intervention throughout its lifetime - a simple "cleaning" would have erased the delicate enamel around the subsidiary register. Later generation dials would feature a printed signature, making this example even rarer.
As an even nicer touch, the watch showcases a slate grey vintage Patek Philippe strap that is preserved in excellent condition.
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.