Manufacturer: Patek Philippe Year: 1963 Reference No: 3504 Movement No: 711'104 Case No: 314'932 Material: 18K white gold Calibre: Manual, cal. 27SC, 18 jewels, stamped twice with the Geneva seal Bracelet/Strap: Patek Philippe leather strap Clasp/Buckle: 18K white gold Patek Philippe pin buckle Dimensions: 35mm diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement, strap and buckle signed Accessories: With Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch in 1963 and its subsequent sale on May 25, 1963
Catalogue Essay
Reference 3504 is a waterproof model - with screw back case - featuring center seconds and exquisitely 1960s design. It is defined by the faceted lugs, following the trend of the time which was imposing more and more elaborate case shape alongside with more and more clean dial designs. The cases were realized by Geneva-based master case maker Antoine Gerlach, identified by the hallmark to the inside of the back: a 4 within key. Obviously, such a case construction is extremely sensitive to polishing and often what is left of such faceted lugs is only a pale shadow of their former glory. Fortunately, in this instance the case was only gently cared for through the years, without aggressive interventions, and the lugs still display well defined their facets.
Reference 3504 is a very obscure reference; it is not uncommon, even for enthusiasts of the vintage Patek Philippe production, to not even know this reference exists. That is because it is one of the most elusive Patek Philippe models, produced for one year only, an extremely unusual occurrence, between 1963 and 1964. Furthermore, it would appear that the model was cased exclusively in white gold, another extremely unusual trait. A direct consequence of such a short production run is its absurd rarity: before the discovery of this previously unknown example, only 2 other specimens of this reference were known by the market. This is a truly uncommon occasion for the shrewd collector to own a Patek Philippe wristwatch which is more rare than grail pieces such as the steel 1518, and at a very different price point.
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.