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Lot Essay
With Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch in 1971 and its subsequent sale on December 20, 1971. Further accompanied by a Patek Philippe presentation box.
To the best of our knowledge, this watch has never before been offered in public.
The present example is perhaps one of the best preserved examples of the highly sought after ref. 3448. In outstanding condition the current lot reminds us just how the watch should look and feel. The case is exceptional with no signs of polishing and illustrates just how the facets to the lugs should look and feel. The dial is extremly clean and combined with the original PP crown and fitted presentation box we are presented with a truley wonderful collectors vintage wristwatch.
Patek Philippe produced the reference 3448 from 1962 until approximately 1982. In 1981 they introduced the reference 3450 and both models were replaced in 1985 by the 3940. When it was introduced the reference 3448 was the first self-winding perpetual calendar wristwatch. According to the literature, a total of 586 examples were made with the majority in yellow gold cases. A few examples are known in white gold (see lot 90) and only two examples to date are known in plaintum.
Reference 3448 was fitted with the celebrated caliber 27-460 and 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 to the market with the improved 27'460 QB caliber. The model differs from its predecessor by the modified 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 with Roman I, II, III and IIII leap year indication.
Production of both reference 3448 and 3450 was discontinued in 1985 when reference 3940 was launched.
Reference 3448 is illustrated in Patek Philippe by M. Huber and A. Banberry, 1988, plate 377a, p. 220.
To the best of our knowledge, this watch has never before been offered in public.
The present example is perhaps one of the best preserved examples of the highly sought after ref. 3448. In outstanding condition the current lot reminds us just how the watch should look and feel. The case is exceptional with no signs of polishing and illustrates just how the facets to the lugs should look and feel. The dial is extremly clean and combined with the original PP crown and fitted presentation box we are presented with a truley wonderful collectors vintage wristwatch.
Patek Philippe produced the reference 3448 from 1962 until approximately 1982. In 1981 they introduced the reference 3450 and both models were replaced in 1985 by the 3940. When it was introduced the reference 3448 was the first self-winding perpetual calendar wristwatch. According to the literature, a total of 586 examples were made with the majority in yellow gold cases. A few examples are known in white gold (see lot 90) and only two examples to date are known in plaintum.
Reference 3448 was fitted with the celebrated caliber 27-460 and 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 to the market with the improved 27'460 QB caliber. The model differs from its predecessor by the modified 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 with Roman I, II, III and IIII leap year indication.
Production of both reference 3448 and 3450 was discontinued in 1985 when reference 3940 was launched.
Reference 3448 is illustrated in Patek Philippe by M. Huber and A. Banberry, 1988, plate 377a, p. 220.