Manufacturer: Patek Philippe Year: 1963 Reference No: 3429 Movement No: 1’113’162 Case No: 2’631’742 Model Name: Calatrava Material: 18K yellow gold Calibre: Automatic, cal. 27-460, 37 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Crocodile Clasp/Buckle: 18K yellow gold Patek Philippe pin buckle Dimensions: 35mm diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed Accessories: Delivered with Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming the present timepiece’s date of manufacture in 1963 and its subsequent date of sale on 27th September 1963.
Catalogue Essay
First released in 1960, the Patek Philippe reference 3429 sized at 35mm diameter were available in pink and yellow gold, with a handful of examples in white gold and platinum. Considered by collectors as a milestone and one of the most beautiful movements by Patek Philippe, the reference is powered by the improved calibre 27-460 based on the legendary calibre 12-600 AT made between 1953-1960, the maison’s first automatic movement used in reference 2526 and many others. Both true workhorses, the cal. 27-460 produced from circa 1960-1981 features noteworthy upgrades of a thinner movement powered by a non-guilloche rotor: the jewel supporting the rotor was replaced by a flatter ball-bearing system, and a redesigned balance cock featuring a new, adjustable balance spring stud carrier. In fact, beyond these differences, the movement remained largely the same as cal. 12-600, which itself had a series of incremental upgrades through the years.
Understated and sophisticated, the present ref. 3429 from 1963 in yellow gold is preserved in excellent condition and retains its strong hallmark on the caseband. Made by casemaker Wenger, the elegant screw-down case back design with straight downturned lugs and flat bezel celebrates the beauty of simplicity and practicality. The Stern Frères dial is similarly well-preserved, featuring a raised hard enamel signature, and wonderful sheen. It is interesting to note the reference 3429 is one of only a handful of 1950/60s Patek Philippe models to feature the “PP” crown, including the iconic reference 2526.
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.