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Lot Essay
With Patek Philippe original letter dated 14 March 1988 and Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch with silvered dial and applied white gold indexes in 1966 and its subsequent sale on 3 June 1966. Furthermore delivered with original fitted presentation box and outer packaging.
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.
Scholars dated the arrival of the white gold version of reference 3448 to the late 1960s, often regretting that Patek Philippe did not launch the two gold versions simultaneously in 1962. This is due to the extraordinary charm the 1960s models feature, most notably demonstrated by the dials, blessed with hard enamel signatures and date numerals but also instantly recognizable by the pearled minute markings.
This white gold "padellone" however redefines for many their knowledge since it was made and sold as early as 1966. The case and dial configuration is spectacular and enchants its beholder with a long list of features usually reserved for and associated to the 1950s production. The pointed baton markers, bead minute markings and the subtle hard enamel printing perfectly harmonize with the ivory tone of the dial, very much at home in the unpolished case highlighted by the ultra-rare "PP" crown.
Few vintage watches combine with the greatest of ease the charm of past generation watchmaking and the real pleasure of wearing a contemporary self-winding perpetual calendar wristwatch in such a subtle manner like the white gold reference 3448. Its architectural design, great readability and discreet appearance make it an ideal companion, be it for formal or casual occasions. It is therefore by no surprise that it is one of the most coveted collector's wristwatches and considered one of Patek Philippe's ultimate thoroughbred complications.
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 and only two examples in platinum are known to date.
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 (Quantième 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.
Scholars dated the arrival of the white gold version of reference 3448 to the late 1960s, often regretting that Patek Philippe did not launch the two gold versions simultaneously in 1962. This is due to the extraordinary charm the 1960s models feature, most notably demonstrated by the dials, blessed with hard enamel signatures and date numerals but also instantly recognizable by the pearled minute markings.
This white gold "padellone" however redefines for many their knowledge since it was made and sold as early as 1966. The case and dial configuration is spectacular and enchants its beholder with a long list of features usually reserved for and associated to the 1950s production. The pointed baton markers, bead minute markings and the subtle hard enamel printing perfectly harmonize with the ivory tone of the dial, very much at home in the unpolished case highlighted by the ultra-rare "PP" crown.
Few vintage watches combine with the greatest of ease the charm of past generation watchmaking and the real pleasure of wearing a contemporary self-winding perpetual calendar wristwatch in such a subtle manner like the white gold reference 3448. Its architectural design, great readability and discreet appearance make it an ideal companion, be it for formal or casual occasions. It is therefore by no surprise that it is one of the most coveted collector's wristwatches and considered one of Patek Philippe's ultimate thoroughbred complications.
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 and only two examples in platinum are known to date.
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 (Quantième 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.