Manufacturer: Patek Philippe Year: 1975 Reference No: 3448 Movement No: 1'119'394 Case No: 331'482 Material: 18k yellow gold Calibre: Automatic, 27-460, 37 jewels Bracelet/Strap: 18k yellow gold Patek Philippe bracelet, 168 mm. maximum length Clasp/Buckle: 18k yellow gold Patek Philippe folding clasp Dimensions: 37 mm. diameter Signed:Case, dial and movement signed Accessories: With Patek Philippe Certificate of Origin dated 20 April 1979. Furthermore delivered with Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch in 1975 and its subsequent sale on 18 April 1979. Literature: For another example of a reference 3448, however without a bracelet, please see Patek Philippe Museum Patek Philippe Watches, Volume II, page 296 and 297.
Catalogue Essay
Reference 3448 was first introduced in 1962 and was the firm's first self-winding perpetual calendar wristwatch. We believe a total of 586 examples were made. The reference was in production until 1981 and was replaced by the reference 3450. Many collectors refer to the reference as 'Padellone', the nickname given to the watch. The present watch is a highly unusual example for two main reasons. The first, is that it is fitted with a luxury yellow gold bracelet that is thick and heavy and still in very nice condition. The second, is that the watch still retains its original certificate, which is a huge rarity when it comes to important vintage Patek Philippe watches. The watch is a very honest example and has been retained in nice and original condition.
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.