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Lot Essay
With Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch in 1983 and its subsequent sale on February 8th of 1985. Further delivered with Patek Philippe presentation box and original Certificate of Origin.
The reference 3450, successor of reference 3448, was introduced into the market in 1981 with the improved 27'460 QB (Quantime Bissextile) calibre. The model differs from its predecessor by the modified leap year indication, the small eccentric 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 numeral leap year indication.
A total of 244 examples of reference 3450 were made, the majority in yellow gold cases with 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.
The present watch was formerlly in the Chuck Barris Collection. Chuck Barris was known for creating, writing, or co-writing music for various television shows, including the Dating Game, the Gong Show, and the Newlywed Game. He also wrote seven books, one of which was turned into the movie Confessions of a Dangerous Mind, produced by George Clooney and starring Sam Rockwell.
The present example from the reference 3450 series is from the second generation, recognizable by the roman leap year indication. Acquired by the present owner in 1998, when it was prominently featured in the Chuck Barris collection, it is now a "two owners since new" watch and itss condition is accordingly impressive. In fact, it appears to be in virtually unworn condition, and has most probably never been polished since new. Furthermore, it is still accompanied by the original certificate, a rarity in its own right. Examples of the reference 3450 with such well-documented provenance, and preserved in close to mint condition, are watches that will meet the expectations of any demanding collector.
Reference 3450 is illustrated in Patek Philippe Wristwatches by M. Huber & A. Banbery, Second Edition, page 290, plate 449a.
The reference 3450, successor of reference 3448, was introduced into the market in 1981 with the improved 27'460 QB (Quantime Bissextile) calibre. The model differs from its predecessor by the modified leap year indication, the small eccentric 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 numeral leap year indication.
A total of 244 examples of reference 3450 were made, the majority in yellow gold cases with 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.
The present watch was formerlly in the Chuck Barris Collection. Chuck Barris was known for creating, writing, or co-writing music for various television shows, including the Dating Game, the Gong Show, and the Newlywed Game. He also wrote seven books, one of which was turned into the movie Confessions of a Dangerous Mind, produced by George Clooney and starring Sam Rockwell.
The present example from the reference 3450 series is from the second generation, recognizable by the roman leap year indication. Acquired by the present owner in 1998, when it was prominently featured in the Chuck Barris collection, it is now a "two owners since new" watch and itss condition is accordingly impressive. In fact, it appears to be in virtually unworn condition, and has most probably never been polished since new. Furthermore, it is still accompanied by the original certificate, a rarity in its own right. Examples of the reference 3450 with such well-documented provenance, and preserved in close to mint condition, are watches that will meet the expectations of any demanding collector.
Reference 3450 is illustrated in Patek Philippe Wristwatches by M. Huber & A. Banbery, Second Edition, page 290, plate 449a.