Manufacturer: Patek Philippe Year: 1962 Reference No: 3417 Movement No: 731'240 Case No: 2'618'294 Model Name: Amagnetic Material: Stainless steel Calibre: Manual, cal. 27AM400, 18 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Leather Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel pin buckle Dimensions: 35mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial and movement signed Accessories: Accompanied by Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch in 1962 and its subsequent sale on March 12, 1962.
Catalogue Essay
Before the launch of the Nautilus, Patek Philippe only produced two references that were only available in stainless steel: reference 3418 and 3417. Both launched in 1958 with an anti-magnetic caliber 12-400, they were upgraded with caliber 27AM400 as of early 60s.
The need for anti-magnetic wristwatches started in the mid-1950s, with brands such as Rolex being commissioned by the CERN to produce a watch for their scientists. The trend was soon followed by other renowned Swiss brands such as Patek Philippe wishing to offer their clients an accurate timepiece that would resist strong magnetic fields. A number of features make Patek Philippe’s vintage anti-magnetic wristwatches highly coveted. The movement is shielded from magnetism with a soft-iron inner case, designed to resist magnetic fields up to 450 oersteds. By necessity, the case is designed for maximum robustness using stainless steel and fitted with a screwdown, water-resistant caseback.
Aside from its technical interest, the design of the 3417 is a pure marvel of elegance and refinement. Simply decorated with white gold baton indexes extended by baton hands and complemented by a style matching the elongated 12, the linear Art Deco scheme of the dial is cleverly enhanced by the hand script font of the word Amagnetic.
This fresh-to-the-market example is part of a very few privileged pieces that were sold by the famous Swiss retailer Gübelin as only six reference 3417 with the Gübelin signature have appeared on the market so far.
Originally based in Lucerne, Gübelin is known for drawing a line inside the caseback of the watches sold through their premises to indicate the date of purchase and to allow a record of service history. As one could expect, this watch displays this mark.
The excellent overall condition of the case and the dial of the present watch tick every box of the demanding collector!
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.