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Lot Essay
Introduced in 1962, reference 3448 holds an important place in Patek Philippe’s history as the world’s first self-winding perpetual calendar wristwatch. Combining a remarkably clean and balanced design with one of the manufacture’s most sophisticated automatic movements, it has become one of the defining complicated Patek Philippe wristwatches of the 20th century.
The present example, with movement no. 1’119’375 and case no. 331’535, is particularly appealing for its rare white gold case and beautifully aged Stern Frères dial. Made from solid gold, the dial retains its characteristic silky ‘satiné opalin’ finish, a refined surface treatment associated with some of the finest complicated Patek Philippe watches of the period. Over time, it has developed a pleasing light patina, further enhancing its vintage character.
The elegant three-piece 18k white gold case was made by master casemaker Antoine Gerlach, with a snap-on bezel and caseback and the characteristic white gold ‘Calatrava’ crown. Notably, the hallmark remains visible to the back of the lower left lug.
Powering the watch is the celebrated calibre 27-460 Q, with ‘Q’ standing for Quantième. Based on Patek Philippe’s in-house calibre 27-460 and fitted with the manufacture’s perpetual calendar mechanism beneath the dial, the movement features a Gyromax balance and bears the Geneva Seal.
Reference 3448
According to research, a total of 586 examples of reference 3448 were produced, the vast majority in yellow gold. Only approximately 130 were cased in white gold, while two examples in platinum and a single example in pink gold are known to date, underlining the comparative rarity of the present configuration.
In 1981, reference 3448 was succeeded by reference 3450, incorporating the improved calibre 27-460 QB, for Quantième Bissextile. Its principal visual distinction was the addition of a leap-year indication through a small aperture at approximately 4 o’clock. Production of both references ultimately ceased following the introduction of reference 3940 in 1985.
The present example, with movement no. 1’119’375 and case no. 331’535, is particularly appealing for its rare white gold case and beautifully aged Stern Frères dial. Made from solid gold, the dial retains its characteristic silky ‘satiné opalin’ finish, a refined surface treatment associated with some of the finest complicated Patek Philippe watches of the period. Over time, it has developed a pleasing light patina, further enhancing its vintage character.
The elegant three-piece 18k white gold case was made by master casemaker Antoine Gerlach, with a snap-on bezel and caseback and the characteristic white gold ‘Calatrava’ crown. Notably, the hallmark remains visible to the back of the lower left lug.
Powering the watch is the celebrated calibre 27-460 Q, with ‘Q’ standing for Quantième. Based on Patek Philippe’s in-house calibre 27-460 and fitted with the manufacture’s perpetual calendar mechanism beneath the dial, the movement features a Gyromax balance and bears the Geneva Seal.
Reference 3448
According to research, a total of 586 examples of reference 3448 were produced, the vast majority in yellow gold. Only approximately 130 were cased in white gold, while two examples in platinum and a single example in pink gold are known to date, underlining the comparative rarity of the present configuration.
In 1981, reference 3448 was succeeded by reference 3450, incorporating the improved calibre 27-460 QB, for Quantième Bissextile. Its principal visual distinction was the addition of a leap-year indication through a small aperture at approximately 4 o’clock. Production of both references ultimately ceased following the introduction of reference 3940 in 1985.