Patek Philippe - The Geneva Watch Auction: XV Geneva Saturday, May 7, 2022 | Phillips

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    • Manufacturer: Patek Philippe
      Year: 1974
      Reference No: 3448
      Movement No: 1'119'378
      Case No: 331'538
      Model Name: "Padellone"
      Material: 18K white gold
      Calibre: Automatic, 27-460 Q, 37 jewels
      Bracelet/Strap: Leather
      Clasp/Buckle: 18K white gold Patek Philippe deployant clasp
      Dimensions: 37.5mm Diameter
      Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed
      Accessories: Accompanied by Patek Philippe Certificate of Identity and Guarantee of Origin dated 7 February 1975, instruction manual, product literature, fitted presentation box and outer packaging. Furthermore delivered with Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch in 1974 and its subsequent sale on 7 February 1975.

    • Catalogue Essay

      Reference 3448 was the first automatic perpetual calendar wristwatch made by Patek Philippe and was introduced in 1962. A landmark model in the history of Patek Philippe, it remained one of the very few complicated models which Patek Philippe kept producing even during the quartz crisis of the 1970s; it was in fact made from 1961 to 1981 when it was retired in favour of its sibling reference 3450.

      Nicknamed the “Padellone” by Italian collectors, the reference is adored by collectors for its oversized 37.5 mm diameter case with clean, angular lines and dial with perfect harmony and symmetry.

      The present reference 3448 in white gold is one of the most important variants of its kind to ever surface on the public market. Reference 3448 in white gold is already a rarity and incredibly hard to find - when one appears on the market, it is an occasion to be remembered. Yet to offer one, with a luminous dial and its original certificate, is almost unheard of - in fact, the present watch is the only known reference 3448 in white gold with luminous dial with the presence of its original certificate. We know of only one other example with a similar dial configuration, which resides in private hands. Moreover, the lineage of the present watch has been well documented in history, adding to its desirability and collectibility. It first surfaced at public auction in 2005 and was consigned by the original owner, who purchased the watch from Patek Philippe in 1975 in Geneva. After that, it remained in one of, if not the most renowned collection ever amassed in the 21st century, before its eventual sale at Phillips in May 2017 to the present consignor.

      A study of the present 3448s enables the viewer to truly appreciate what makes this particular example stand out from the very rest. Of particular interest is the dial configuration, made to accommodate the luminous dots. The numerals have been positioned closer to the center in order to allow space for the luminous dots, giving the dial a completely appearance compared a regular dial configuration. Furthermore close inspection of the case reveals that it is preserved in extraordinary condition, further enhancing its singular nature. An incredibly crisp hallmark is present on the underside of the lug, and the side of lugs still retail its bevel - a very important feature for reference 3448s.

      It is not everyday that such a trophy model appears on the market, and it will very likely be years, if not a decades until the next one appears on the market again.

    • 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

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Ref. 3448
An extremely important and highly attractive white gold perpetual calendar wristwatch with moon phases, luminous indexes and hands, original certificate and fitted presentation box, one of two known

1974
37.5mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement and buckle signed

Full Cataloguing

Estimate
CHF300,000 - 500,000 
€295,000-491,000
$319,000-531,000

Sold for CHF655,200

Contact Specialist

Alexandre Ghotbi
Head of Watches, Continental Europe and the Middle East

+41 22 317 81 81
AGhotbi@phillips.com

Tiffany To
Head of Sale, Geneva

+41 22 317 96 63
TiffanyTo@phillips.com

The Geneva Watch Auction: XV

Geneva Auction 7 - 8 May 2022