Manufacturer: Patek Philippe Year: 1968 Reference No: 3445 Movement No: 1'127'016 Case No: 324'991 Material: 18k white gold Calibre: Automatic, 27-460M, 37 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Black Patek Philippe crocodile leather strap Clasp/Buckle: 18k white gold Patek Philippe buckle Dimensions: 35 mm. diameter Signed:Case, dial and movement signed Accessories: With Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch in 1968 and its subsequent sale on 17 September 1968 , Japanese Extract from the Archives dated 20 March 2015 and fitted presentation box.
Catalogue Essay
Patek Philippe's reference 3445 was introduced in 1961. At the time of production, the reference was the firm's first automatic calendar watch to be made in a series. The model is fitted with the 27-460 calibre and was discontinued in 1981. The present watch is fitted with a blue 'Sigma' dial, denoting white gold applied markers - a rarer variant for examples cased in white gold. Most white gold examples were produced with a silvered dial.
The present example is offered in excellent and unpolished condition, with crisp hallmarks and edges which are sharp to the touch.
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.