Launched in 1981, reference 3450 was the successor to reference 3448 - Patek Philippe's very first automatic perpetual calendar wristwatch. While aesthetically similar to reference 3448, it most notably features a leap year indicator on the dial. In addition, its case back is slightly smaller and is fitted with a "tongue", enabling it to be easily removed by the wearer. Notably, it is the first serially made Patek Philippe wristwatch featuring leap year indication allowing for an easier setting of the exact date; earlier models required a potentially very lengthy synchronisation procedure to manually identify the leap year and then advance to the current year in the cycle.

The present watch, manufactured in 1985, is among the very last examples of reference 3450s ever made before the introduction of reference 3940. While the first generation examples were fitted with a "red dot" to indicate the leap year, second generation examples displayed Roman numerals I, II, III and IV, like the present model. 

This example is previously unknown and fresh to the auction market. Offered by the family of the original owner, it remarkably features the Certificate of Origin and original wooden box. Stamped by German retailer “Uhren Huber” it perfectly fits the German calendar discs found on the watch, a very rare feature in itself.

Patek Philippe produced very limited quantities of reference 3450, typically casing the model in yellow gold. To date, scholars estimate that Patek Philippe produced only 237 examples in total.

As such, fresh-to-the-market gems hardly ever appear at auction, and they are going to be even more scarce in the future when the last few unknown examples have been found.