Patek Philippe - The Geneva Watch Auction: XVI Geneva Saturday, November 5, 2022 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Patek Philippe
    Year: 1973
    Reference No: 3448
    Movement No: 1'119'278
    Case No: 330'625
    Model Name: "Padellone"
    Material: 18K white gold
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 27-460, 37 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Leather
    Clasp/Buckle: 18K white gold Patek Philippe deployant clasp
    Dimensions: 37.5mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by Patek Philippe Certificate of Identity and Guarantee of Origin dated January 15, 1975, Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives and two hang tags

  • Catalogue Essay

    Since the introduction of the world’s first perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch, Patek Philippe is regarded as one of the best (and, serially, the first) to execute this complication. Patek Philippe’s serially produced perpetual calendar models (such as references 1526 and 2497, or chronograph references 1518 and 2499) were exclusively manual. Introduced in 1962, the ref. 3448 was the manufacture’s first self-winding perpetual calendar wristwatch.

    A landmark model in the history of Patek Philippe, ref. 3448 remained one of the very few complicated models which Patek Philippe kept producing even during the quartz crisis of the 1970s; it was in fact made from 1961 to 1981 when it was retired in favour of its sibling ref. 3450. Launched in 1981, ref. 3450 was aesthetically very similar to ref. 3448, but features a leap year indication on the dial.

    The “Padellone” as the Italian collectors jokingly and lovingly dubbed it due to its oversized 37.5 mm diameter case with clean, angular lines is known in four main series (though other out-of- series variations such as the “upside down date ring” variation are known):

    - The first series features small calendar ring, indexes closer to the center of the dial and engraved/enameled minute divisions
    - The second series introduces beady minute divisions
    - The third series - exemplified by the present timepiece - maintains the beady divisions but introduces the large numerals for the date rings and indexes closer to the outer edge of the dial
    -The fourth series features printed minute divisions.
    With an estimated total production of 586 examples, ref. 3448 is indeed a very rare find. Mostly encased in yellow gold (around 450 examples estimated), the white gold version is much scarcer. The total white gold output is estimated at about 130 pieces, making the presence of this watch in the auction an occasion to be fêted!

    Presented in excellent condition and recently service at Patek Philippe, the watch hasn’t been worn since, retaining the intact service sticker on the caseback. The present model distinguishes itself not only for its remarkable condition, but most notably for the presence of its original Certificate, greatly amplifying its collectability.

  • 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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152

Ref. 3448
A very rare and well‐preserved white gold perpetual calendar wristwatch with moonphases indication, original certificate and hang tags

1973
37.5mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement and buckle signed

Estimate
CHF400,000 - 800,000 
€515,000-1,030,000
$501,000-1,000,000

Sold for CHF567,000

Contact Specialist

Alexandre Ghotbi
Head of Watches, Continental Europe and the Middle East
+41 22 317 81 81
AGhotbi@phillips.com
 

Tiffany To
Head of Sale, Geneva
+41 22 317 96 63
TiffanyTo@phillips.com

The Geneva Watch Auction: XVI

Geneva Auction 5 - 6 November 2022