Patek Philippe - The Geneva Watch Auction: XII Geneva Saturday, November 7, 2020 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Patek Philippe
    Year: 1958
    Reference No: 3418
    Movement No: 728'423
    Case No: 2'605'905
    Material: Stainless steel
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 12-400, 18 jewels, stamped twice with the Geneva Seal
    Bracelet/Strap: Integrated Patek Philippe stainless steel bracelet, max length 210mm
    Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel pin buckle
    Dimensions: 34mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial and movement signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by Patek Philippe Extract form the Archives confirming production of the present watch with blue dial, engraved indexes and bracelet in 1958 and its subsequent sale on September 30, 1959. Furthermore accompanied by Patek Philippe Certificate of Origin.

  • Catalogue Essay

    Production of reference 3418 started in 1958, the exact same year as the launch of the anti-magnetic caliber 12-400. The need for anti-magnetic wristwatches really started in the mid-1950s, with brands such as Rolex being commissioned by the CERN to produce a watch for their scientists. The trend was soon followed by other renowned Swiss brands such as Patek Philippe wishing to offer their clients an accurate timepiece that would resist strong magnetic fields.

    The present example is distinguished by the attractive Milanese bracelet and by the rare navy blue dial. Most intriguingly, the hour markers are neither applied nor printed on the dial. Rather, they are carved into it - a detail confirmed by the extract. Such a dial construction adds intellectual interest and aesthetic flair to the piece. While the majority of the reference was fitted with a silvered dial, in very rare instances black dials were known to have been realized. It is however the first time that this watch - which can thus be currently classified as unique - is the first and only example with blue dial and carved indexes to appear on the market so far.

  • 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. 3418
A fine, previously unknown and astoundingly rare wristwatch with navy blue dial, engraved indexes and Milanese bracelet

1958
34mm Diameter
Case, dial and movement signed

Estimate
CHF15,000 - 30,000 
€13,900-27,800
$16,400-32,800

Sold for CHF30,240

Contact Specialist

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

41 79 637 1724
aghotbi@phillips.com

The Geneva Watch Auction: XII

Geneva Auction 6 - 7 November 2020