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Lot Essay
With Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch in 1974 and its subsequent sale on 26 September 1974.
The reference 3448 offered here for sale is amongst the best examples of this landmark reference in white gold to be offered in public in recent years, impressively demonstrated by its excellent, close to mint overall condition. Obviously never been worn and consequently never been subject to any polishing at all, its proportions remain crisp, most evident to the beholders eye are the incredibly sharp edges of the lugs. The charismatic dial reflects a great shine with no signs of any restoration and enhances the overall look of this extraordinary wristwatch.
Reference 3448, introduced into the market in 1962, was at the time the first self-winding 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, only two examples in platinum and only one in pink gold are known to date. The pink gold ref. 3448 was sold in this saleroom on 14 November 2011, Lot 88.
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 (Quantime 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.
With the launch of reference 3940 in 1985, production of both references 3448 and 3450 was discontinued.
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 reference 3448 offered here for sale is amongst the best examples of this landmark reference in white gold to be offered in public in recent years, impressively demonstrated by its excellent, close to mint overall condition. Obviously never been worn and consequently never been subject to any polishing at all, its proportions remain crisp, most evident to the beholders eye are the incredibly sharp edges of the lugs. The charismatic dial reflects a great shine with no signs of any restoration and enhances the overall look of this extraordinary wristwatch.
Reference 3448, introduced into the market in 1962, was at the time the first self-winding 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, only two examples in platinum and only one in pink gold are known to date. The pink gold ref. 3448 was sold in this saleroom on 14 November 2011, Lot 88.
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 (Quantime 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.
With the launch of reference 3940 in 1985, production of both references 3448 and 3450 was discontinued.
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.