Lot Essay
One of the rarest Patek Philippe perpetual calendar models to be made in series, the present fresh to the market reference 3450 is a highly attractive and wonderfully preserved example of the almost impossible to find reference 3450/1 fitted with the ultra-luxurious integral solid 18K gold bracelet. Discontinued almost 40 years ago, the 3450 is a must-have model for the serious Patek Philippe collector, both a trophy and very wearable classic Patek wristwatch.
As the successor to the celebrated reference 3448, reference 3450 was only in production for around five years. The main difference between these two classic references is that the reference 3450 has a leap-year indication on the dial. In superb overall condition with only very light signs of any wear or polishing, it reveals the full potential in size and beauty this reference can offer, combining sharp and clean lines and the still legible hallmarks on the case. The chief glory of the present watch is the very rare and highly impressive integral gold bracelet of which only a very small number of 3450s, perhaps less than 10, are known publicly. Hardly ever found on the open market, this watch presents collectors with the golden opportunity to obtain one of the most difficult to find variations of all reference 3450s.
Reference 3450
In 1981, reference 3450, successor of reference 3448 was introduced into the market with the improved 27-460 QB (Quantième Bissextile) calibre. The model differs from its predecessor by the inclusion of a leap year indication, the eccentric small window at 4 o'clock. The first series was made with a simple red disk and Arabic numerals, the second series, such as the present watch, with Roman I, II, III and IV leap year indication.
A total of 244 examples of reference 3450 were made, the majority in yellow gold cases, less than a handful in white gold are known to date.
Production of both references 3448 and 3450 was discontinued in 1985 when reference 3940 was launched.
As the successor to the celebrated reference 3448, reference 3450 was only in production for around five years. The main difference between these two classic references is that the reference 3450 has a leap-year indication on the dial. In superb overall condition with only very light signs of any wear or polishing, it reveals the full potential in size and beauty this reference can offer, combining sharp and clean lines and the still legible hallmarks on the case. The chief glory of the present watch is the very rare and highly impressive integral gold bracelet of which only a very small number of 3450s, perhaps less than 10, are known publicly. Hardly ever found on the open market, this watch presents collectors with the golden opportunity to obtain one of the most difficult to find variations of all reference 3450s.
Reference 3450
In 1981, reference 3450, successor of reference 3448 was introduced into the market with the improved 27-460 QB (Quantième Bissextile) calibre. The model differs from its predecessor by the inclusion of a leap year indication, the eccentric small window at 4 o'clock. The first series was made with a simple red disk and Arabic numerals, the second series, such as the present watch, with Roman I, II, III and IV leap year indication.
A total of 244 examples of reference 3450 were made, the majority in yellow gold cases, less than a handful in white gold are known to date.
Production of both references 3448 and 3450 was discontinued in 1985 when reference 3940 was launched.