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911

Patek Philippe

Ref. 3445/6

An extremely rare and attractive white gold wristwatch with small seconds, date, baguette and diamond-set dial, integrated bracelet and presentation box

Estimate
HK$100,000 - 240,000
€11,300 - 27,000
$12,800 - 30,800
HK$107,950
Lot Details
Manufacturer
Patek Philippe
Year
1971
Reference No
3445/6
Movement No
1’231’202
Case No
329’472
Material
18K white gold
Calibre
Automatic, cal. 27-460M, 37 jewels
Bracelet/Strap
18K white gold Patek Philipp integrated bracelet, max length 205mm
Clasp/Buckle
18K white gold Patek Philippe folding clasp
Dimensions
35mm diameter
Signed
Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed
Accessories
Accompanied by Patek Philippe fitted presentation box. Further delivered with the Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming the date of manufacture in 1971 and its subsequent date of sale 16th May 1972.
Catalogue Essay
Released in 1961, the Patek Philippe ref. 3445 was the firm’s first serially produced self-winding wristwatch with date. Adopting a two-piece screw down case made by master casemaker Antoine Gerlach, the wristwatch is waterproof and was made in several case materials including yellow, white, pink gold and platinum. The calibre powering the reference is the calibre 27-460M (M for Monodate) was an evolution to the 12-600AT used within the 2526, these upgrades includes the Gyromax balance wheel.

While most ref. 3445 remained in production for 21 years, a series of them were made with an integrated bracelet with the absence of lugs on four sides under the ref. 3445/6. Simplistic and extremely elegant, you can find examples in yellow gold, white gold or platinum (rarest) offered with silver, champagne, blue, grey dials, and lastly most sophisticated of all, diamond-set dial where only a handful has ever appeared in the market.

Fresh-to-the-market and extremely well-preserved with a movement number of 1’231’202, this is part of the 2nd series that began production in 1970. According to our research only one example with the same configuration has appeared in the market. It’s understated white gold case is finely finished with a linen-texture that elevates the presence of the ref. 3445/6 and goes perfectly with a linen suit. Crisp hallmark can be seen on the satin-finished caseband, furthermore confirmed by the Patek Phillipe Extract from the Archives, this is a spectacular example from 1971.

Patek Philippe

Swiss | 1839
Since 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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