Manufacturer: Patek Philippe Year: 1963 Reference No: 3497/1 Movement No: 866'635 Case No: 2'633'461 Material: 18K white gold and diamonds Calibre: Manual, cal. 175, 30 jewels Bracelet/Strap: 18K white gold Patek Philippe bracelet, max length 185mm Clasp/Buckle: 18K white gold Patek Philippe folding clasp Dimensions: 27.5mm Width Signed: Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed Accessories: Accompanied by Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch in 1963 and its sale on December 23, 1963.
Catalogue Essay
Reference 3497 is incredibly rare. To date, no more than 4 examples including the present watch have graced the auction market. Furthermore, this timepiece is the only known example with diamond hour markers.
Launched at Basel in 1963, the reference was produced until 1965. It is characterized by its unusual asymmetric case design, which is at once striking and unusual for the period. Meant to be worn as a dress watch with a Tuxedo, this watch must have been an incredibly novel and daring choice for any dapper gentleman.
This watch is preserved in exceptional condition with a crisp hallmark on the caseband. Furthermore, the bracelet does not show warping, and lies flat.
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.