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Lot Essay
With Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming manufacture of the present watch in platinum with diamond hour markers in 1961 and its subsequent sale on 19 February 1962.
The "tuxedo" version of reference 3428 cased in platinum, the most precious of all precious metals, and enhanced with the rare dial version with diamond-set numerals, confirmed by the Extract from the Archives, is the scarcest version within the family of this iconic model. In fact, to date only one other example of reference 3428 in platinum was known to exist: with enamel dial and applied white gold baton numerals, it was sold in this saleroom on 12 November 2007 for CHF385,000, lot 83. The watch offered here for sale, hitherto unknown to the market, is only the second reference 3428 in platinum to appear in public so far. The diamond-set silvered dial renders it a unique piece.
The icy beauty of this ultimately noble "time only" wristwatch combining a platinum case, a diamond-set dial, rarity, freshness to the market and very good original overall condition render it a trophy for the discerning collector.
Launched in 1960 and succeeding reference 2526, reference 3428 is undisputedly amongst the most elegant and distinguished vintage watches ever made and has significantly influenced the popularity of wristwatches featuring enamel dials. In production until the mid-1960s, it was made in an exceedingly small series only. Whereas its predecessor reference 2526 is fitted with the celebrated calibre 12'''600, reference 3428 is equipped with the second generation self-winding movement, calibre 27-460.
The "tuxedo" version of reference 3428 cased in platinum, the most precious of all precious metals, and enhanced with the rare dial version with diamond-set numerals, confirmed by the Extract from the Archives, is the scarcest version within the family of this iconic model. In fact, to date only one other example of reference 3428 in platinum was known to exist: with enamel dial and applied white gold baton numerals, it was sold in this saleroom on 12 November 2007 for CHF385,000, lot 83. The watch offered here for sale, hitherto unknown to the market, is only the second reference 3428 in platinum to appear in public so far. The diamond-set silvered dial renders it a unique piece.
The icy beauty of this ultimately noble "time only" wristwatch combining a platinum case, a diamond-set dial, rarity, freshness to the market and very good original overall condition render it a trophy for the discerning collector.
Launched in 1960 and succeeding reference 2526, reference 3428 is undisputedly amongst the most elegant and distinguished vintage watches ever made and has significantly influenced the popularity of wristwatches featuring enamel dials. In production until the mid-1960s, it was made in an exceedingly small series only. Whereas its predecessor reference 2526 is fitted with the celebrated calibre 12'''600, reference 3428 is equipped with the second generation self-winding movement, calibre 27-460.