Patek Philippe - Racing Pulse New York Saturday, December 12, 2020 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Patek Philippe
    Year: 1966
    Reference No: 3448
    Movement No: 1’119’050
    Case No: 317’467
    Model Name: “Padellone”
    Material: 18K yellow gold
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 27-460 Q, 37 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Lizard
    Clasp/Buckle: 18K yellow gold Patek Philippe buckle
    Dimensions: 37.5mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement, strap, and buckle signed.
    Accessories: Accompanied by original Patek Philippe Certificate of Origin dated May 23rd, 1967 and original Patek Philippe box. Further accompanied by Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming the present watch was manufactured in 1966 and its subsequent sale on May 22nd, 1967.

  • Catalogue Essay

    Phillips is proud to present what is most probably the best-preserved example of a first series Patek Philippe reference 3448 we have ever seen. The case is amazing - untouched, beautifully displaying its perfectly preserved factory original brushed and polished surfaces, razor-sharp edges, and sharp angles. Its original first series dial is equally breathtaking, with a perfect and crisp hard enamel signature and numerals, with hardly any trace of aging.

    The groundbreaking reference 3448, launched in 1962, was the world's first self-winding perpetual calendar wristwatch. It replaced the earlier, manually-wound references 1526 and 2497. Within beats the exquisite caliber 27-460 Q ("Q" for quantième), which built on Patek’s first automatic caliber 12-600 AT introduced in 1953.

    Nicknamed the “Padellone” by Italian collectors, the reference is adored by collectors for its oversized, 37.5 mm diameter case with clean, angular lines and the symmetrical and balanced dial. The way in which the wide bezel slopes dramatically outwards from the dial, with jutting angular lugs, gives the impression of a watch much larger than its actual case measurements.

    Bearing the simple inscription “FROM ELLIE | THEODORE I RUBIN, M.D.” this exceptional reference 3448 comes directly from the descendants of the original owner - Dr. Theodore Isaac Rubin, a famed American psychiatrist and author known for his expertise in psychoanalysis. One of his over twenty-five written works, the novella Lisa and David was made into two separate films – one in 1962 and another in 1998 produced by Oprah Winfrey and starring Sidney Poitier. According to the New York Times, Dr. Rubin, in one of his books titled “The Thin Book by a Formerly Fat Psychiatrist,”, he coined the popular term “comfort food.”

    Absolutely fresh-to-the-market, in addition to its extraordinary condition, it is furthur enhanced by its original Certificate of Origin and original box. As stamped on the certificate, the watch was purchased at A l’Emeraude in Lausanne, Switzerland, certainly as a gift to Dr. Rubin from his wife Eleanor. According to Dr. Rubin’s descendants, he adored fine watches, and the present watch was treasured by him – remaining hardly ever worn except for only the most special occasions.

    Consigned by the Family of the Original Owner

  • Artist Biography

    Patek Philippe

    Swiss • 1839

    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.

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Σ60

Ref. 3448
An incredibly well-preserved yellow gold perpetual calendar wristwatch with moonphases, original certificate, and original box

1966
37.5mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement, strap, and buckle signed.

Estimate
$150,000 - 300,000 
CHF135,000-270,000
€126,000-253,000
HK$1,160,000-2,330,000

Sold for $529,200

Contact Specialist

Paul Boutros
Head of Watches, Americas & International Strategy Advisor
Senior Vice President
+1 212 940 1293
pboutros@phillips.com

Racing Pulse

New York Auction 12 December 2020