Manufacturer: Patek Philippe Year: 1974 Reference No: 3448 Movement No: 1’119’332 Case No: 331’486 Model Name: “Padellone” Material: 18K yellow gold Calibre: Automatic, cal. 27-460 Q, 37 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Crocodile Clasp/Buckle: 18K yellow gold Patek Philippe pin buckle Dimensions: 37mm diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed Accessories: Accompanied by an undated Patek Philippe Certificate of Origin stamped Soto Largo Joyeros, product literature, red document holder, additional crystal outer packaging and fitted presentation box. Further delivered with a Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming its date of manufacture for the present timepiece in 1974 and its subsequent date of sale on 5th April 1974.
Catalogue Essay
Making its important debut in 1962, the Patek Philippe ref. 3448 is the very first self-winding perpetual calendar wristwatch in the world by any manufacturer. With a stylistic case symbolic of a “frying pan”, the model earned its nickname the “Padellone” by Italian collectors. Distinctive and unusually attractive, the case features four delicate pointy lugs that are individually welded on to the case. With a clean and sharp 37mm diameter case, the simplistic and perfectly symmetrical dial harmoniously completes the perfect picture.
Launched in 1962 and produced until 1982, the ref. 3448 was made in four series with its distinctive details for each listed below.
- The first series features small calendar ring, indexes closer to the center of the dial and engraved/enameled minute divisions. - The second series introduces beady minute divisions. - The third series maintains the beady divisions but introduces the large numerals for the date rings and indexes closer to the outer edge of the dial. -The fourth series - exemplified by the present timepiece - features printed minute divisions.
With an estimated 586 examples of the reference produced in all case materials with a production spanning over 20 years, the ref. 3448 Padellone is certainly a rare timepiece. Regarded as one of the grail references, the ref. 3448 was the only self-winding perpetual calendar wristwatch in the market at the time of its launch for 16 years. Highly sought after in the market and praised by the most celebrated collectors, it is a formidable timepiece with an important place in the respected heritage of Patek Philippe.
The present Patek Philippe ref. 3448 in 18K yellow gold is a specimen that does not occur every day. Extremely well-preserved, the case is crisp with sharp bevels and edges that are extremely hard to come across for this particular reference. Furthermore, it is accompanied by the original Certificate of Origin stamped by Spanish retailer Soto Largo Joyeros, its product literature and its original fitted presentation box.
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.
Ref. 3448 An extremely fine, rare and very well-preserved yellow gold perpetual calendar wristwatch with moon phases, Certificate of Origin and presentation box
1974 37mm diameter Case, dial, movement and buckle signed