A fine and rare white gold automatic perpetual calendar wristwatch with moon phases, Patek Philippe & Co., Genève, no. 1119582, ref. 3448, 1981

18k, nickel lever movement stamped twice with the seal of Geneva, 37 jewels, gyromax balance, free sprung regulator, adjusted to heat, cold, isochronism and 5 positions, 18k gold rotor, silvered matte dial, applied baton numerals, apertures for day and month, subsidiary dial indicating date combined with phases of the moon, circular case with stepped bezel, case, dial and movement signed, with 18k white gold Patek Philippe buckle, accompanied by Patek Philippe cardboard slipcase, leather-covered box, original tie tags and an Extract from the Patek Philippe Archives.

The accompanying extract records the date of manufacture as 1981 and its subsequent sale on August 7 of the same year.

Production of the reference 3448 commenced in 1962 and was limited to a total of 586 pieces. Examples in white gold are uncommon and rarely appear at auction.

The present lot is also accompanied by two original tie tags from the time of sale listing the reference number and serial numbers and recording the retail price as 15,000 and 17,000.  The difference in price on the two tags suggest the possibility of either a price reduction or increase at the time. Although this example is not in its sealed plastic envelope, as is the situation for lot 332, it remains in remarkably well-preserved condition.  The combination of the protective paper backing to the case and the two tie tags certainly suggest that the watch has been unused.

For a similar example sold see Sotheby's New York, Important Watches, Wristwatches and Clocks, February 8, 1999, lot 583 and October 17, 2003, lot 368.