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Lot Essay
With Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch in 1973 and its subsequent sale on 26 June 1973.
The white gold reference 3448, a paragon of understated sophistication, is one of the few vintage watches combining with the greatest of ease the charm of past generation watchmaking and the true pleasure of wearing a contemporary self-winding perpetual calendar wristwatch. Its architectural design, great readability and discreet appearance make it an ideal companion, be it for formal or casual occasions. It is therefore by no surprise that it is one of the most coveted collector's wristwatches and considered one of Patek Philippe's ultimate thoroughbred complications.
Consigned by one of the brand's most faithful collectors, the present reference 3448 is without a doubt a very healthy example. Kept with the care and respect due to such a masterwork, it impresses by its overall very good original condition. Most notably to any connoisseur's eyes are the full proportions of its case, showing only minimal wear and signs of polishing. Consequently, the edges are sharp, the satin-finish to the sides is attractively preserved and the gold mark is crisp. The attractive dial does not show signs of cosmetic retouching, furthermore enhancing the overall appearance of this extraordinary wristwatch.
The combination of provenance, condition and freshness to the market, quintessential to the connoisseur, render the present reference 3448 the perfect addition to any important collection of rare vintage wristwatches.
Reference 3448
Reference 3448, introduced into the market in 1962, was at the time the first automatic perpetual calendar wristwatch. According to literature, a total of 586 examples were made, the majority in yellow gold cases. Few watches have been cased in white gold and only two examples in platinum are known to date.
Reference 3448 was fitted with the celebrated calibre 27-460, amongst the most sophisticated and lavish automatic movements ever made. It was later upgraded with Patek Philippe's patented perpetual mechanism fitted on the movement plate underneath the dial and renamed 27-460 Q.
In 1981, reference 3450 was introduced into the market with the improved 27'460 QB (Quantième Bissextile) calibre. The model differs from its predecessor by the modified leap year indication, the eccentric small window to 4 o'clock. The first series was made with a simple red disk and Arabic numerals, the second with Roman I, II, III and IIII leap year indication.
A total of 244 examples of reference 3450 were made, the majority in yellow gold cases, only two in white gold are known to date.
Production of both reference 3448 and 3450 was discontinued in 1985 when reference 3940 was launched.
Reference 3448 is illustrated in Patek Philippe Wristwatches by Martin Huber & Alan Banbery, second edition, p. 288 and in Ore d'Oro by Jader Barracca, Giampiero Negretti and Franco Nencini, p. 45.
The white gold reference 3448, a paragon of understated sophistication, is one of the few vintage watches combining with the greatest of ease the charm of past generation watchmaking and the true pleasure of wearing a contemporary self-winding perpetual calendar wristwatch. Its architectural design, great readability and discreet appearance make it an ideal companion, be it for formal or casual occasions. It is therefore by no surprise that it is one of the most coveted collector's wristwatches and considered one of Patek Philippe's ultimate thoroughbred complications.
Consigned by one of the brand's most faithful collectors, the present reference 3448 is without a doubt a very healthy example. Kept with the care and respect due to such a masterwork, it impresses by its overall very good original condition. Most notably to any connoisseur's eyes are the full proportions of its case, showing only minimal wear and signs of polishing. Consequently, the edges are sharp, the satin-finish to the sides is attractively preserved and the gold mark is crisp. The attractive dial does not show signs of cosmetic retouching, furthermore enhancing the overall appearance of this extraordinary wristwatch.
The combination of provenance, condition and freshness to the market, quintessential to the connoisseur, render the present reference 3448 the perfect addition to any important collection of rare vintage wristwatches.
Reference 3448
Reference 3448, introduced into the market in 1962, was at the time the first automatic perpetual calendar wristwatch. According to literature, a total of 586 examples were made, the majority in yellow gold cases. Few watches have been cased in white gold and only two examples in platinum are known to date.
Reference 3448 was fitted with the celebrated calibre 27-460, amongst the most sophisticated and lavish automatic movements ever made. It was later upgraded with Patek Philippe's patented perpetual mechanism fitted on the movement plate underneath the dial and renamed 27-460 Q.
In 1981, reference 3450 was introduced into the market with the improved 27'460 QB (Quantième Bissextile) calibre. The model differs from its predecessor by the modified leap year indication, the eccentric small window to 4 o'clock. The first series was made with a simple red disk and Arabic numerals, the second with Roman I, II, III and IIII leap year indication.
A total of 244 examples of reference 3450 were made, the majority in yellow gold cases, only two in white gold are known to date.
Production of both reference 3448 and 3450 was discontinued in 1985 when reference 3940 was launched.
Reference 3448 is illustrated in Patek Philippe Wristwatches by Martin Huber & Alan Banbery, second edition, p. 288 and in Ore d'Oro by Jader Barracca, Giampiero Negretti and Franco Nencini, p. 45.