Manufacturer: Patek Philippe
Year: 1963
Reference No: 3466
Movement No: 1’112’806
Case No: 2’626’968
Model Name: Calatrava
Material: Stainless steel
Calibre: Automatic, cal. 27-460, 37 jewels
Bracelet/Strap: Crocodile
Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel
Dimensions: 35mm diameter
Signed: Case, dial and movement signed
Accessories: Accompanied by Extract from the Archived confirming production of the present watch with sunburst satin dial in 1963, and its subsequent sale on September 6, 1963.
Catalogue Essay
First introduced to the market in 1962, reference 3466 remained in production for approximately ten years before it was discontinued in the early 1970s. Housed in a water-resistant, stainless steel case, the model was a sporty and more casual alternative to its time-only siblings dressed in precious metals. Compared to gold in Patek Philippe's mid-century production, stainless steel was a much rarer offering.

Fresh-to-the-market, this waterproof wristwatch from 1963 features the automatic caliber 27-460, considered by many to be one of the finest automatic movements ever made. When the caliber 27-460 replaced the 12-600 AT, it was upgraded with a sturdier ball bearing mount for the winding rotor, among other adjustments. The caliber 27-460 remained in production until 1985, when it was replaced by the caliber 240 with micro-rotor. Most striking is the full 18k yellow gold rotor that is beautifully and lavishly finished.

The present wristwatch is well-preserved with a crisp case and lovely dial. It is accompanied by a Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming the charismatic silvered sunburst satin finish dial with lapped hour markers and beaded minute track. The 35mm diameter case, a rarity for the 1960s, is timeless and as modern and sporty today as it was nearly 60 years ago.
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.
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