Lot Description

Patek Philippe. A very fine and attractive 18K gold automatic perpetual calendar wristwatch with moon phases
Signed Patek Philippe, Genève, ref. 3448, movement no. 1'119'098, case no. 320'323, manufactured in 1968
Cal. 27-460 Q nickel-finished lever movement stamped twice with the Geneva seal, 37 jewels, Gyromax balance, free sprung regulator, 18K gold rotor, silvered dial, applied gold baton numerals, apertures for day and month, subsidiary dial for date and moon phases, circular case, enlarged bezel, snap on back, 18K gold Patek Philippe buckle, case, dial and movement signed
37 mm. diam.

Special Notice

Prospective purchasers are advised that several countries prohibit the importation of property containing materials from endangered species, including but not limited to coral, ivory and tortoiseshell. Accordingly, prospective purchasers should familiarize themselves with relevant customs regulations prior to bidding if they intend to import this lot into another country.

Lot Notes

With Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch in 1968 and its subsequent sale on 9 November 1969.

Reference 3448 has been in production for some twenty years and has seen continuous yet subtle changes to its appearance, most notably on the dial. The earliest generation from the 1960s, such as the present watch, are fitted with a lacquered dial featuring not only a hard enamel signature and date ring but also the pearled dots on the outer four minute markings. Examples from this generation have a more vintage appearance and, despite the modernist case, appear to make part of another era.

The specimen here from 1968 is undoubtedly one of the most attractive and best preserved examples ever offered at auction. Not only is its case as sharp and unpolished as it could possibly be but most notably its dial has taken, with time, an uniform patina in the tones of yellowish ivory and pale champagne. The result is a strikingly warm look hardly ever found on this reference and more commonly associated to watches from the 1940s and 1950s.

Never before offered at public auction, this superb "padellone" is not only one of the best examples in the world but also exceptional value and pleasure to its future owner.

For an example of a reference 3448 in pink gold and a note on this model see lot 88 in this auction.