Manufacturer: Patek Philippe Year: 1970 Reference No: 3448 Movement No: 1’119’169 Case No: 322’474 caseback further engraved GL Model Name: "‘Padellone" Material: 18K white gold Calibre: Automatic, cal. 27-460Q, 37 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Leather Clasp/Buckle: 18K white gold pin buckle Dimensions: 37.5mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial. movement and buckle signed Accessories: Accompanied by Patek Philippe fitted box, setting pin, further accompanied by Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch in 1970 and its subsequent sale on July 12, 1972,
Catalogue Essay
Reference 3448 is a landmark model in the history of Patek Philippe. It was the firm’s first self-winding perpetual calendar wristwatch which is remarkable as it remains one of the very few complicated models which Patek Philippe kept producing even during the quartz crisis of the 1970s; it was in fact made from 1961 to 1981 when it was retired in favour of its sibling reference 3450 (very similar, with some minor differences in the case construction and with the leap year indication).
Nicknamed the “Padellone” by Italian collectors, the reference is adored by collectors for its oversized 37.5 mm diameter case with clean, angular lines and dial with perfect harmony and symmetry.
The present example, from the family of the original owner, is an extremely rare version in white gold of which only 60 examples are known. Adding extra rarity is the calendar in German of which only 3 are known (the calendar indications being traditionally in French and English).
The design of the watch is both futuristic in aspect yet taking cues from the 1960s with its short downturned angled lugs, large dial opening and beautiful dial with hard enamel signature.
The movement is based on what is universally recognized as one of the greatest - if not the greatest - automatic movement ever designed: cal. 27-460 (which is the final evolution of historical cal. 12-600AT), upgraded of course with a perpetual movement to become cal. 27-460Q (Q for Quantième).
Fresh to the market and from the family of the original owner, the present reference 3448 remains in very appealing condition with sharp hallmarks beneath the lugs and crisp raised hard enamel signature on the dial.
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.
Ref. 3448 A very rare and well‐preserved white gold perpetual calendar wristwatch with moonphase indication, German calendar, setting pin and presentation box.
1970 37.5mm Diameter Case, dial. movement and buckle signed