Manufacturer: Patek Philippe Year: 1979 Reference No: 3445 Movement No: 1'232'902 Case No: 323.142 Material: 18k white gold Calibre: Automatic, 27-460M, 37 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Leather Clasp/Buckle: 18k white gold buckle, signed PPco Dimensions: 34.5 mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial and movement signed Accessories: With original Patek Philippe certificate of origin, a registered guarantee card, instruction booklet, sales tag, leather portfolio, presentation box and outer packaging. Further accompanied by an Extract from the Archives confirming date of sale on 28th January 1987.
Catalogue Essay
Reference 3445 was the first simple calendar wristwatch manufactured by Patek Philippe. In production from 1961 to 1981, the reference was made in all precious metals and was fitted with the automatic caliber 27-460M.
The present example made in 1979 was later sold in 1987. Encased in white gold, this watch is fitted with a silvered dial, applied white gold baton hour markers, a subsidiary dial for constant seconds at 6 o’clock and an aperture for the date at 3 o’clock.
Offered in seemingly unused and mint condition, the present watch still retains the Patek Philippe sticker on the case-back, and is accompanied by the presentation box, tag, certificate and leather portfolio. In a world where excellence is paramount, and where perfect condition stands for excellence, this true timeless condition gem is as good as any avid collector and buyer for a reference 3445 could possibly ever hope for. The present example combines looks, exclusivity and wearability for the connoisseur of fine vintage Patek Philippe wristwatches.
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.