Manufacturer: Patek Philippe Year: 1979 Reference No: 3604/2 Movement No: 1'307'143 Case No: 2'747'587 Material: 18k white gold Calibre: Automatic, cal. 28-255C, 36 jewels Bracelet/Strap: 18k white gold Patek Philippe woven bracelet, max length 205mm. Clasp/Buckle: Folding clasp Dimensions: 36mm. Width Signed: Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed Accessories: Accompanied by a pouch, Patek Philippe Certificate of Origin and Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch in 1979 and its subsequent sale on January 18th, 1980
Catalogue Essay
The large, rounded cushion-shaped reference 3604 is one of Patek Philippe's most emblematic 1970s designs. Produced exclusively in yellow gold and white gold, it was available with either an alligator strap or, more luxuriously, with an integrated gold bracelet.
The present example impresses with its soleil-finished bronze-coloured dial and the herringbone textured heavy white gold bracelet. The bracelet appears to be of full length and the original certificate, a delight to any collector, is still present.
In scholarship, the bronze colored dial on this model is known as “Vermeer”, a fact that is confirmed by the original certificate. Another interesting fact is that the present reference 3604/2 and Patek Philippe’s legendary Jumbo Nautilus, reference 3700, share the same movement: the firm’s well known, ultra-thin caliber 28-255 C.
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.