Manufacturer: Patek Philippe Year: 1960 Reference No: 3438 Movement No: 1’110’263 Case No: 310’766 Model Name: Calatrava Material: 18k yellow gold Calibre: Automatic, cal. 27-460, 30 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Leather Clasp/Buckle: 18k yellow gold buckle Dimensions: 31mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial and movement signed by maker, dial signed by retailer Accessories: Accompanied by Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch in 1960 and its subsequent sale on February 20th, 1961.
Catalogue Essay
Patek Philippe’s reference 3438 is the automatic version of the reference 96 Calatrava. The watch was released in 1960 and produced until 1962. The present example with an A. Gerlach case is in exceptional condition and remains possibly unpolished with a strong vibrant patina to the case.
The hallmarks are crisp and a possible hand etched retailer inventory number on the underside of the bottom right lug remains crisp. From the early production, the watch features the PP crown, which on later examples used the new Calatrava crown. The watch is made more unique with the rare retailer signature, Black, Starr & Gorham, and is only the third known example to appear at auction with the signature.
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.