154
Patek Philippe
Ref. 3448/4
Padellone
A rare, unusual and most probably unique yellow gold perpetual calendar wristwatch with moonphases, upside-down calendar ring, integrated bracelet and lugs
- Estimate
- CHF100,000 - 200,000$100,000 - 200,000€103,000 - 206,000
CHF239,400
Lot Details
- Manufacturer
- Patek Philippe
- Year
- 1972
- Reference No
- 3448/4
- Movement No
- 1'119'258
- Case No
- 330'592
- Model Name
- Padellone
- Material
- 18K yellow gold
- Calibre
- Automatic, cal. 27-460Q, 37 jewels
- Bracelet/Strap
- 18K yellow gold bracelet signed Patek Philippe, measuring 200m max
- Clasp/Buckle
- 18K yellow gold Patek Philippe folding clasp
- Dimensions
- 37.5mm Diameter
- Signed
- Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed
- Accessories
- Accompanied by Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming date of manufacture of the present watch in 1972 with yellow gold bracelet and its subsequent sale on October 16, 1972.
Specialist
Full-Cataloguing
Catalogue Essay
The present Patek Philippe reference 3448/4 has the particularity of having both an integrated bracelet and lugs giving it incredible visual appeal. Habitually these models either came with an integrated bracelet without lugs or vice versa, the fact that the present model has both makes it truly unique as it is the only one known in this configuration. The bracelet is stamped JPE for Jean-Pierre Ecoffey, the famed bracelet maker.
Reference 3448 was launched in 1962 and remained in production for twenty years, before being replaced by its slightly more advanced descendant reference 3450 which features a leap year indication. It was made in yellow, white and pink gold for a total of only 586 pieces. The movement beating inside this landmark model is a masterpiece of engineering with the addition of a perpetual/moonphase module to cal. 27-460, which is the final evolution of cal. 12-600 (the one powering ref. 2526), and universally considered one of the best automatic movements (if not the best automatic movement) of all times.
This reference was made in four different series that can be determined as such:
- The first series features small calendar ring, indexes closer to the center of the dial and engraved/enameled minute divisions.
- The second series introduces beady minute divisions.
- The third series - exemplified by the present timepiece, maintains the beady divisions but introduces the large numerals for the date rings and indexes closer to the outer edge of the dial.
- The fourth series features printed minute divisions.
The present example from 1972 features a very early Third Series dial featuring a very rare peculiarity: the lower half of the date ring presents upside-down numerals. This design is more harmonic but less legible so it was soon abandoned. It can be found on a few pieces made around 1971-73.
The present reference 3448/4 is in overall excellent condition with a strong case and flawless dial.
Reference 3448 was launched in 1962 and remained in production for twenty years, before being replaced by its slightly more advanced descendant reference 3450 which features a leap year indication. It was made in yellow, white and pink gold for a total of only 586 pieces. The movement beating inside this landmark model is a masterpiece of engineering with the addition of a perpetual/moonphase module to cal. 27-460, which is the final evolution of cal. 12-600 (the one powering ref. 2526), and universally considered one of the best automatic movements (if not the best automatic movement) of all times.
This reference was made in four different series that can be determined as such:
- The first series features small calendar ring, indexes closer to the center of the dial and engraved/enameled minute divisions.
- The second series introduces beady minute divisions.
- The third series - exemplified by the present timepiece, maintains the beady divisions but introduces the large numerals for the date rings and indexes closer to the outer edge of the dial.
- The fourth series features printed minute divisions.
The present example from 1972 features a very early Third Series dial featuring a very rare peculiarity: the lower half of the date ring presents upside-down numerals. This design is more harmonic but less legible so it was soon abandoned. It can be found on a few pieces made around 1971-73.
The present reference 3448/4 is in overall excellent condition with a strong case and flawless dial.
Patek Philippe
Swiss | 1839Since its founding in 1839, this famous Geneva-based firm has been surprising its clientele with superbly crafted timepieces fitted with watchmaking's most prestigious complications. Traditional and conservative designs are found across Patek Philippe's watches made throughout their history — the utmost in understated elegance.Well-known for the Graves Supercomplication — a highly complicated pocket watch that was the world’s most complicated watch for 50 years — this family-owned brand has earned a reputation of excellence around the world. Patek's complicated vintage watches hold the highest number of world records for results achieved at auction compared with any other brand. For collectors, key models include the reference 1518, the world's first serially produced perpetual calendar chronograph, and its successor, the reference 2499. Other famous models include perpetual calendars such as the ref. 1526, ref. 3448 and 3450, chronographs such as the reference 130, 530 and 1463, as well as reference 1436 and 1563 split seconds chronographs. Patek is also well-known for their classically styled, time-only "Calatrava" dress watches, and the "Nautilus," an iconic luxury sports watch first introduced in 1976 as the reference 3700 that is still in production today.
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