Condition: Pre-owned
Introduction:
This Patek Philippe 3448J Perpetual Calendar watch features an automatic movement with perpetual calendar, day, month, date, moon phase. New Patek alligator strap with original 18K yellow gold buckle.
Date & Paperwork:
The watch was made in 1971, confirmed with an extract from the archives confirming its date of manufacture and further sale. It also comes with a setting pin stylus. Additionally, the watch comes with a one year movement guarantee.
Essay:
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. After almost two decades of 3448 production, it was replaced by the reference 3450 which featured a leap year indicator. A very robust, full-rotor automatic movement highly regarded by enthusiasts, the caliber powering Patek Philippe’s perpetual calendar watches was replaced by the ultra-thin caliber 240 Q when the 3450 was discontinued and the reference 3940 was introduced in the mid-1980s. 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. Later examples, such as the current lot, would feature more uniform and modern printing for the signature and date track.
Specifications:
Reference Number: 3448J
Year: 1971
Movement: Automatic
Case Diameter: 37.5 mm
Dial Color: Silver
Band Type: Alligator Strap
Functions: Date, Day, Month, Moonphase, Perpetual Calendar
Price: $192,500
