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Lot Essay
With Patek Philippe Certificate of Origin dated 15 February 1985 and Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch with silvered dial and gold indexes in 1984 and its subsequent sale on 10 December 1984. Furthermore delivered with Patek Philippe brochure, receipt dated 27 May 1992 for the total overhaul of the watch, original presentation box, outer packaging.
The present reference 3450 is one of the finest examples of this milestone model coming to the market in recent years. Acquired by the original owner in 1985 at an official Patek Philippe retailer in Lugano, Switzerland, it was then sold for the first time in 2008 at Christie's Geneva to the current owner. Throughout its nearly 30 years of life, it has hardly seen any wear and possibly only one subtle polishing. Furthermore, it is still today accompanied by the original certificate, presentation box and receipt for the one and only service in 1992.
In 1981, reference 3450, successor of reference 3448 (see lots 223 and 305 in this auction), 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 at 4 o'clock. The first series was made with a simple red disk and Arabic numerals, the second, 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, only two in white gold are known to date.
Production of both references 3448 and 3450 was discontinued in 1985 when reference 3940 was launched.
Examples of reference 3450 in such original, crisp and complete condition are amongst the rarest gems of Patek Philippe's production of complicated wristwatches. The days when such opportunities will no longer be available to collector's are not far away.
Reference 3450 is illustrated in Patek Philippe Wristwatches by Martin Huber & Alan Banbery, second edition, p. 290, pl. 449a.
The present reference 3450 is one of the finest examples of this milestone model coming to the market in recent years. Acquired by the original owner in 1985 at an official Patek Philippe retailer in Lugano, Switzerland, it was then sold for the first time in 2008 at Christie's Geneva to the current owner. Throughout its nearly 30 years of life, it has hardly seen any wear and possibly only one subtle polishing. Furthermore, it is still today accompanied by the original certificate, presentation box and receipt for the one and only service in 1992.
In 1981, reference 3450, successor of reference 3448 (see lots 223 and 305 in this auction), 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 at 4 o'clock. The first series was made with a simple red disk and Arabic numerals, the second, 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, only two in white gold are known to date.
Production of both references 3448 and 3450 was discontinued in 1985 when reference 3940 was launched.
Examples of reference 3450 in such original, crisp and complete condition are amongst the rarest gems of Patek Philippe's production of complicated wristwatches. The days when such opportunities will no longer be available to collector's are not far away.
Reference 3450 is illustrated in Patek Philippe Wristwatches by Martin Huber & Alan Banbery, second edition, p. 290, pl. 449a.