Lot Essay
The present timepiece is an extremely rare opportunity for collectors to obtain a sublime example of the almost never seen white gold reference 3428 - one of the great Patek Philippe rarities, it is as pristine, elegant and wearable today as it was 60 years ago.
A great mid-century classic with stunning good looks and a remarkably contemporary ‘all-white’ aesthetic, the present enamel dial reference 3428G is the epitome of the rarity and beauty of Patek Philippe’s vintage automatic wristwatches. Production of the reference 3428 was extremely low, in fact, only approximately 24 were ever produced in white gold. The present watch is, to the best of our knowledge, one of only approximately 6 examples in white gold to appear in public to date.
Made in an exceedingly small series, reference 3428 is one of the rarest and most sought after of all vintage Patek Philippe wristwatches. In production between 1960 and 1965, reference 3428 replaced the celebrated 2526, the first automatic wristwatch produced in series by Patek Philippe. With case size remaining the same with perfect proportions made by Baumgartner, Geneva's master case maker identified with number 2 in a key, both references boast a beautiful enamel dial made by Stern Frères. It differs only with the newer caliber 27-460, upgraded from the 12-600AT.
Enamel dials on any wristwatch are a very special thing, fundamentally time consuming and costly to make they can never be truly mass-made. Their essential rarity naturally adds considerably to their desirability as does the fact that enamel can last indefinitely.
A great mid-century classic with stunning good looks and a remarkably contemporary ‘all-white’ aesthetic, the present enamel dial reference 3428G is the epitome of the rarity and beauty of Patek Philippe’s vintage automatic wristwatches. Production of the reference 3428 was extremely low, in fact, only approximately 24 were ever produced in white gold. The present watch is, to the best of our knowledge, one of only approximately 6 examples in white gold to appear in public to date.
Made in an exceedingly small series, reference 3428 is one of the rarest and most sought after of all vintage Patek Philippe wristwatches. In production between 1960 and 1965, reference 3428 replaced the celebrated 2526, the first automatic wristwatch produced in series by Patek Philippe. With case size remaining the same with perfect proportions made by Baumgartner, Geneva's master case maker identified with number 2 in a key, both references boast a beautiful enamel dial made by Stern Frères. It differs only with the newer caliber 27-460, upgraded from the 12-600AT.
Enamel dials on any wristwatch are a very special thing, fundamentally time consuming and costly to make they can never be truly mass-made. Their essential rarity naturally adds considerably to their desirability as does the fact that enamel can last indefinitely.