Patek Philippe

Introduced in 1962, the Patek Philippe ref. 3448 marked a defining moment in the history of complicated wristwatches as the world’s first serially produced self-winding perpetual calendar wristwatch. In fact, it would take nearly another two decades before any other manufacturer produced an automatic perpetual calendar wristwatch. Combining this technical innovation with contemporary design, the reference departed from the heavily classical styling typical of complicated watches of the era, instead presenting a clean modernist case with sharp angular lugs and large proportions for the period. 3448 cases were manufactured by Antoine Gerlach (Geneva master casemaker key number 4), while the dials were made by Stern Frères, with early examples featuring hard enamel signatures and inscriptions. Today, the reference is regarded as one of the most important and collectible complicated wristwatches ever produced by Patek Philippe.

The present example is of particular interest for two reasons. Firstly, it is believed to be only the third ref. 3448 ever produced, as evidenced by its movement number 1’119’002. The earliest known examples of the reference are as follows:

Movement no. 1’119’000 – Patek Philippe Museum

Movement no. 1’119’001 – Sotheby’s Geneva, May 16, 2006, lot 122

Movement no. 1’119’002 – The present watch

Movement no. 1’119’003 – Sotheby’s New York, October 19, 2007, lot 23

Movement no. 1’119’004 – Present whereabouts unknown

Movement no. 1’119’005 – Sotheby’s New York, June 13, 2007, lot 28

Each of these early examples displays unusual characteristics. For example, movement number 1’119’000 houses a calibre 27-460 Q with only 34 jewels, whereas all subsequent examples featured 37 jewels. Similarly, watches no. 1’119’001 and the present 1’119’002 feature unusual but consistent baton hands, whereas no. 1’119’003 was fitted with luminous hands. Watches no. 1’119’002 and 1’119’003 further feature “indexes lapidés,” or applied faceted baton indexes with flat ends, whereas no. 1’119’000 and 1’119’005 bear “indexes obus,” applied faceted baton indexes with pointed ends resembling a bullet.

Additionally, the watch is double signed with the coveted Tiffany & Co. retailer signature. Early examples of the ref. 3448 featuring retailer signatures were signed above both the date aperture and the Patek Philippe signature. By the late 1960s, this practice had largely ceased, with retailer signatures thereafter typically positioned beneath the Patek Philippe signature or in the six o'clock sub-dial.

The present watch is offered directly by the family of the original owner, a noted Patek Philippe and Tiffany & Co. client who was also the original owner of the unique Patek Philippe pocket watch ref. 846, likewise retailed by Tiffany & Co. and sold at Sotheby’s New York on June 10, 2025, for $209,550. An MIT-trained electrical engineer and entrepreneur, the owner developed photographic equipment used during the Manhattan Project. Preserved in exceptional condition, the present watch descended to his son, the consignor, upon his passing.