Manufacturer: Patek Philippe Year: 1966 Reference No: 3483 Movement No: 712'021 Case No: 2'658'340 Material: Stainless steel Calibre: Mechanical, 27 SC, 18 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Black Patek Philippe crocodile leather strap Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel buckle Dimensions: 35 mm. diameter Signed:Case, dial and movement signed Accessories: With Patek Philippe Registered Card for Guarantee dated 2 December 2011. Furthermore delivered with Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch in 1966 and its subsequent sale on 26 January 1967.
Catalogue Essay
During the 1950s and 1960s, Calatrava styles wristwatches became increasingly popular and fashionable. At the time, watches cased in yellow, white gold and platinum were considered more valuable than their stainless steel counterparts. As such, very little were produced, and stainless steel wristwatches are today incredibly valuable due to their sheer rarity.
The present watch, reference 3483, was produced in stainless steel only. According to our research, around 500 examples were ever produced. To date, approximately 15 watches have surfaced on the market. This example is preserved in excellent condition, and the dial has aged slightly, giving the watch an incredible vintage look. The pearled outer rim finishes off the simple yet elegant dial beautifully.
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.