.jpg?w=1)
.jpg?w=1)
.jpg?w=1)
.jpg?w=1)
Lot Essay
This exceptional and fresh to the market example of reference 3450 manufactured in 1985, is among the very last examples of reference 3450 ever made before the introduction of its successor, reference 3940. A true ‘sleeping beauty’, the preservation of this watch is simply amazing, the crisp case has retained full proportions and sharp angles, furthermore, the gold has developed the patina of age that is only found on gold watches after decades of minimal use and is so desired and highly prized by collectors today.
The present watch is not only an exemplary specimen of a 3450, its rarity is dramatically increased by the double signed dial for the prestigious retailer Gübelin, only a handful of reference 3450 are known publically bearing the magical Gübelin signature. If this were not enough, this trophy watch is also accompanied by the original Patek Philippe Certificate of Origin stamped by Gübelin, the original box and the original sales receipt from Gübelin. This remarkable intact survival double signed by one of the greatest retail names is one of the best and most complete examples of a reference 3450 to be offered at auction in recent years.
Reference 3450
Patek Philippe produced the reference 3450 from 1981 until 1985. It is believed they manufactured only 244 timepieces, with the majority manufactured in yellow gold and only two in white gold known to the market. The model 3450 replaced the reference 3448. Patek Philippe replaced the caliber 27-460 with the caliber 27-460 QB (Quantième Bissextile). The reference is enhanced by several handmade features including hand-applied indexes, hand-finished date apertures and beautiful enamel moon phase disc.
The 3450 was made in three series:
- 1st series: Arabic 1, 2 and 3, leap year in red
- 2nd series: Arabic numerals
- 3rd series: Roman numerals
E. Gübelin
Gübelin was founded in 1854 and has always been a family enterprise. Located in Lucerne, Switzerland, the renowned company has designed and retailed superior quality watches and clocks ever since. Today, Gübelin has branches throughout Europe.
Another example of a ref. 3450 with Roman leap year indicator is illustrated and described in: Patek Philippe Museum - Patek Philippe Watches - Volume II, p. 297, Inv. P-239.
The present watch is not only an exemplary specimen of a 3450, its rarity is dramatically increased by the double signed dial for the prestigious retailer Gübelin, only a handful of reference 3450 are known publically bearing the magical Gübelin signature. If this were not enough, this trophy watch is also accompanied by the original Patek Philippe Certificate of Origin stamped by Gübelin, the original box and the original sales receipt from Gübelin. This remarkable intact survival double signed by one of the greatest retail names is one of the best and most complete examples of a reference 3450 to be offered at auction in recent years.
Reference 3450
Patek Philippe produced the reference 3450 from 1981 until 1985. It is believed they manufactured only 244 timepieces, with the majority manufactured in yellow gold and only two in white gold known to the market. The model 3450 replaced the reference 3448. Patek Philippe replaced the caliber 27-460 with the caliber 27-460 QB (Quantième Bissextile). The reference is enhanced by several handmade features including hand-applied indexes, hand-finished date apertures and beautiful enamel moon phase disc.
The 3450 was made in three series:
- 1st series: Arabic 1, 2 and 3, leap year in red
- 2nd series: Arabic numerals
- 3rd series: Roman numerals
E. Gübelin
Gübelin was founded in 1854 and has always been a family enterprise. Located in Lucerne, Switzerland, the renowned company has designed and retailed superior quality watches and clocks ever since. Today, Gübelin has branches throughout Europe.
Another example of a ref. 3450 with Roman leap year indicator is illustrated and described in: Patek Philippe Museum - Patek Philippe Watches - Volume II, p. 297, Inv. P-239.