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Lot Essay
Today, most of the finest and rarest of vintage Patek Philippe wristwatches are held by world-renowned international collectors and museums, each year fewer and fewer of the great vintage references of the mid-20th century reach the open market. It is therefore an event of major significance when a previously unknown and truly stellar Patek Philippe rarity is discovered and, even more exciting, when it is realized that the watch has remained in the family of its original owner since its purchase over 60 years ago. Moreover, production of this enamel dial white gold reference 3428G was extremely low, in fact, only approximately 24 were ever produced in total. The present watch, previously unknown to the market, is one of less than 10 examples so far known publicly. Christie’s is incredibly honoured to be able to offer this Patek Philippe masterwork here at auction for the first time.
The exclusivity and desirability of this spectacular reference 3428G is further enhanced by its enviable overall condition, with true hard enamel dial, strong definition to the white gold case and lugs, and a clear hallmark on the band between the lower lugs.
Impervious to the ravages of time, the true kiln-fired hard enamel dial complete with counter enamel on the reverse is a very special thing, fundamentally time consuming and very costly to make, dials such as this could never be mass-made and can remain pristine indefinitely. The back of the present dial is punch-numbered ‘93 694’ under the counter enamel, ‘93’ stands for the client, in this instance Patek Philippe, and ‘694’ as the order number when it was requested.
The Examples of Reference 3428G Known Publicly
Movement Number Case Number
1’112’124⁄2’626’423
Sold Christie’s New York, 7 December 2017, Lot 42
1’112’127⁄2’626’428
Sold Christie’s Geneva, 9 November 2014, Lot 78.
1’112’129⁄2’626’428 - The Present Watch
1’113’550⁄2’626’442
Sold Christie’s Geneva, 11 November 2024, Lot 43.
1’112’671⁄2’626’436
Sold Christie’s Geneva, 13 May 2013, Lot 357.
Reference 3428
With stunning good looks and a remarkably contemporary predominantly ‘all-white’ aesthetic, the present enamel dial reference 3428G is one of the rarest and most sought after of all vintage Patek Philippe time-only automatic wristwatches. In production for only five years between 1960 and 1965, the 3428 replaced the celebrated 2526, Patek Philippe’s first automatic wristwatch to be produced in series. The case size remained the same as the 2526, as did its perfect proportions also created by Geneva master casemaker F. Baumgartner, whose punch mark of number 2 in a key is found inside the back. The most distinguishing features of the case are the domed screw back for water-resistance, and the beautiful ‘forged’ gold crown with opposing ‘PP’ design. Both references boast a beautiful enamel dial made by Stern Frères. The 3428 differs only in being fitted with the then newer movement caliber 27-460, upgraded from the 12-600AT.
The present watch presents an exceptionally rare opportunity for collectors to obtain a sublime example of the almost never seen white gold reference 3428G, one of the great Patek Philippe rarities, as pristine, elegant and wearable today as it was over 60 years ago.
The exclusivity and desirability of this spectacular reference 3428G is further enhanced by its enviable overall condition, with true hard enamel dial, strong definition to the white gold case and lugs, and a clear hallmark on the band between the lower lugs.
Impervious to the ravages of time, the true kiln-fired hard enamel dial complete with counter enamel on the reverse is a very special thing, fundamentally time consuming and very costly to make, dials such as this could never be mass-made and can remain pristine indefinitely. The back of the present dial is punch-numbered ‘93 694’ under the counter enamel, ‘93’ stands for the client, in this instance Patek Philippe, and ‘694’ as the order number when it was requested.
The Examples of Reference 3428G Known Publicly
Movement Number Case Number
1’112’124⁄2’626’423
Sold Christie’s New York, 7 December 2017, Lot 42
1’112’127⁄2’626’428
Sold Christie’s Geneva, 9 November 2014, Lot 78.
1’112’129⁄2’626’428 - The Present Watch
1’113’550⁄2’626’442
Sold Christie’s Geneva, 11 November 2024, Lot 43.
1’112’671⁄2’626’436
Sold Christie’s Geneva, 13 May 2013, Lot 357.
Reference 3428
With stunning good looks and a remarkably contemporary predominantly ‘all-white’ aesthetic, the present enamel dial reference 3428G is one of the rarest and most sought after of all vintage Patek Philippe time-only automatic wristwatches. In production for only five years between 1960 and 1965, the 3428 replaced the celebrated 2526, Patek Philippe’s first automatic wristwatch to be produced in series. The case size remained the same as the 2526, as did its perfect proportions also created by Geneva master casemaker F. Baumgartner, whose punch mark of number 2 in a key is found inside the back. The most distinguishing features of the case are the domed screw back for water-resistance, and the beautiful ‘forged’ gold crown with opposing ‘PP’ design. Both references boast a beautiful enamel dial made by Stern Frères. The 3428 differs only in being fitted with the then newer movement caliber 27-460, upgraded from the 12-600AT.
The present watch presents an exceptionally rare opportunity for collectors to obtain a sublime example of the almost never seen white gold reference 3428G, one of the great Patek Philippe rarities, as pristine, elegant and wearable today as it was over 60 years ago.