Patek Philippe - The New York Watch Auction: EIGHT New York Saturday, June 10, 2023 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Patek Philippe
    Year: 1972
    Reference No: 3448
    Movement No: 1’119’234
    Case No: 328’801
    Model Name: Padellone
    Material: 18K yellow gold
    Calibre: Automatic, 27-460Q, 37 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Crocodile
    Clasp/Buckle: 18K yellow gold Patek Philippe pin buckle
    Dimensions: 37.5mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed.
    Accessories: Accompanied by Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch in 1972, and its subsequent sale on September 20th, 1972.

  • Catalogue Essay

    Patek Philippe’s ground-breaking reference 3448, launched in 1962, was the world's first self-winding perpetual calendar wristwatch with moon phase. The model replaced the earlier, manually wound references 1526 and 2497. The exquisite caliber 27-460 Q ("Q" for Quantiême) was built on Patek’s first automatic caliber 12-600 AT introduced in 1953. In 1981, Patek Philippe discontinued the 3448, introducing the reference 3450, with a leap year indication. A very robust, full-rotor automatic movement highly regarded by enthusiasts, the caliber powering Patek Philippe’s perpetual calendar watches was replaced by the ultra-thin caliber 240 Q when the 3450 was discontinued and the reference 3940 was introduced in the mid-1980s. According to scholarship, there were 586 examples of the reference 3448 manufactured, with the majority in yellow gold, a small number in white gold, two examples were re-cased in platinum in the 1990s, and one known in pink gold.

    Nicknamed the “Padellone” by Italian collectors, the reference is adored for its oversized, 37.5 mm diameter case with clean, angular lines and the symmetrical and balanced dial. The way in which the wide bezel slopes dramatically outwards from the dial, with jutting angular lugs, gives the impression of a watch much larger than its actual case measurements, and the dial with perfect harmony and symmetry.

    The present watch is a stunningly crisp example with sharp lines to the case and extremely well defined lugs. The watch has remained unused and securely stored for years developing a pinkish patina throughout. The dial is beautiful, and in very attractive original condition, with all of its original, hard raised enamel print intact. The present example features the third series dial with beady divisions, the indices are closer to the outer edge of the dial, and larger numerals for the date ring with the lower half presented upside-down. This peculiar feature is found on very early third series dials, produced for a very short time until it was replaced with a fourth series dial configuration and it is found on very few examples made during the early 1970s. Furthermore, this reference 3448 bears Spanish language day and month wheels, adding an additional layer of rarity and interest.

    Fresh to the market, the present lot combines rarity, timeless aesthetics, and highest quality watchmaking, the "Padellone" is one of Patek Philippe’s finest creations, and this exceptional example with rare dial type will certainly impress discerning collectors.

    PROPERTY OF A GENTLEMAN COLLECTOR

  • Artist Biography

    Patek Philippe

    Swiss • 1839

    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.

    View More Works

Property of a Gentleman

Σ57

Ref. 3448
A fresh-to-market, impressive, and unusual yellow gold perpetual calendar wristwatch with moon phase and Extract from the Archives

1972
37.5mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement and buckle signed.

Estimate
$150,000 - 300,000 
CHF135,000-270,000
€139,000-277,000
HK$1,170,000-2,350,000
S$202,000-403,000

Sold for $273,050

Contact Specialist

Paul Boutros
Head of Watches, Americas
+1 (212) 940-1293
WatchesNY@Phillips.com
 
Isabella Proia
Head of Sale, New York
+1 (212) 940 1285
iproia@phillips.com

The New York Watch Auction: EIGHT

New York Auction 10 - 11 June 2023