Patek Philippe A very fine and rare yellow gold perpetual calendar wristwatch with moon phases, inverted date numerals, hang tag, bracelet and presentation box
37 mm. Diameter
Reference 3448 was first introduced in 1962 and was the firm's first self-winding perpetual calendar wristwatch. The watch was fitted with the new in-house calibre, the 27-460Q, which was patented by the firm. Furthermore, the caliber bears the prestigious Geneva seal underlining the painstaking hand finish it has gone through. Reference 3448 was in production until 1981 and was replaced by the reference 3450. Many collectors refer to the reference as 'Padellone', the nickname given to the watch.
The present watch is a highly unusual and desirable example for two main reasons. he first, is that it is fitted with a luxury yellow gold bracelet and has been preserved in excellent condition over the years. The second, the present lot is fitted with a much rarer dial variation where the date numerals found on the bottom half are reversed which faced inward towards the moon phase, while most examples have the numerals facing out. An honest and exceptional example with a rare dial configuration makes it a trophy watch for any connoisseur.