Manufacturer: Patek Philippe Year: 1970 Reference No: 3445/6 Movement No: 1’118'434 Case No: 326'858 Model Name: Calatrava Material: 18K yellow gold Calibre: Automatic, cal. 27-460M, 37 jewels Bracelet/Strap: 18K yellow gold Patek Philippe bracelet, max length 195mm Clasp/Buckle: 18K yellow gold Patek Philippe clasp Dimensions: 35mm diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed Accessories: Accompanied by undated Patek Philippe Certificate of Guarantee, envelope and presentation box. Further delivered with Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming the present timepiece’s date of manufacture in 1970 and its subsequent date of sale on 8th December 1970.
Catalogue Essay
Launched in 1961, the Patek Philippe ref. 3445 was the firm’s first serially produced self-winding wristwatch with date. Adopting a two-piece screw-down case made by master casemaker Antoine Gerlach, the present model is water resistant and was offered in several case materials, including yellow, white, pink golds and platinum. Introduced one year before the highly coveted ref. 3448, these two references' case shape and overall aesthetics share an uncanny likeness.
Beautifully preserved, this particular yellow gold ref. 3445-6 from 1970 is the 58th example to be identified from the 1st series. Combined with another 17 examples from the 2nd series, the present wristwatch is the 42nd piece known to be fitted with this yellow-gold dial configuration. Seamlessly paired with an integrated bracelet, this understated dress watch remains one of Patek Philippe's most elegant and lasting accomplishments to this day.
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.
Ref. 3445/6 A fine and well-preserved yellow gold wristwatch with small seconds, date, champagne dial, integrated bracelet, Certificate of Origin and presentation box
1970 35mm diameter Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed