Patek Philippe - Double Signed: A Celebration of the Finest Partnerships of Manufacturers and Retailers Geneva Friday, November 8, 2019 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Patek Philippe
    Year: 1964
    Reference No: 3445
    Movement No: 1'122'255
    Case No: 318'040
    Model Name: Calatrava
    Material: 18K yellow gold
    Calibre: Automatic, 27-460M, 37 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: 18K yellow gold Patek Philippe Gay Frères bracelet, max length 190mm
    Clasp/Buckle: 18K yellow gold security clasp
    Dimensions: 35mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed, dial and bracelet further signed Serpico y Laino
    Accessories: Accompanied by Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch in 1964 and its subsequent sale on 10 November 1965.

  • Catalogue Essay

    The present Patek Philippe’s reference 3445 is more than just a dress watch with date. The fluted bezel, short angled lugs, screwback and sunray finished dial give it a distinctive character.

    In yellow gold with matching Gay Frères bracelet the watch is flamboyant, bold and unabashed.

    Reference 3445 was launched in 1961 and remained in production for about 20 years. Produced in the three gold colors and in platinum, it is the first Patek Philippe automatic timepiece to feature the simple date complication. The case design of the model evolved over time, with three series recognized. The first series, such as the present piece, was made until the late 1970s and features an acrylic crystal and a lower bezel, and was produced by Antoine Gerlach (casemaker stamp: number 4 in a key). Gerlach was also responsible for the second series of cases, featuring a higher bezel due to the introduction of the sapphire crystal. Finally, the last series (few pieces made in 1980) was manufactured in-house by Ateliers Réunis, Patek Philippe's own casemaking firm, and features a spare glazed display back.

    The movement housed in reference 3445 is cal. 27-460M, an upgrade of cal. 27-460 (M stands for Monodate) which is itself the final evolution of cal. 12-600, widely considered the best automatic movement of all times.

    The present watch not only features the Serpico y Laino signature on the dial and correctly S&L engraved on the caseback but even on the side of the gold bracelet. Even though the watch was delivered originally on leather strap we believe that upon purchase the client also obtained a matching Patek Philippe gold bracelet signed Serpico y Laino directly from the retailer.

    Of the four known reference 3445 in yellow gold signed Serpico y Laino the present model is the only one with gold bracelet making it even more desirable.

  • 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. 3445
A very rare and imposing yellow gold wristwatch with date and bracelet

1964
35mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed, dial and bracelet further signed Serpico y Laino

Estimate
CHF15,000 - 30,000 
€13,700-27,500
$15,100-30,100

Sold for CHF25,000

Contact Specialist
Virginie Liatard-Roessli
Specialist, Head of Sale
+41 76 338 91 03
vliatard@phillips.com

Double Signed: A Celebration of the Finest Partnerships of Manufacturers and Retailers

Geneva Auction 9 November 2019