PROPERTY FROM A DESCENDANT OF THE ORIGINAL owner PATEK PHILIPPE
replica montblanc watches
PROPERTY FROM A DESCENDANT OF THE ORIGINAL OWNER
PATEK PHILIPPE
A FINE AND RARE LARGE 18K YELLOW GOLD AUTOMATIC PERPETUAL CALENDAR WRISTWATCH WITH
MOON-PHASES
1977 REF 3448J MVT 1119486 CASE 332602
cal. 27-460Q movement stamped twice with the seal of Geneva, 37 jewels, 18k rotor apertures for day and date, subsidiary dial indicating date combined with fan-form aperture for moon-phases, outer painted minute track sloped bezel, downturned lugs, snap back case, dial and movement signed 18k Patek Philippe buckle Extract from the Archives confirming sale 22 July 1977, original retail receipt dated 29 Aug 1977
CATALOGUE NOTE
Patek Philippe launched Ref. 2526, its first automatic model, in 1953 and ceased production in 1960. It is an iconic
reference and highly sought after by collectors for its understated elegance.
The present example stands out as an extraordinary piece within the reference. According to our research, it is the
only example to come to the market with the combination of unusual Arabic hours dial, pink gold case and Serpico
Y Laino retailer’s marks. Sotheby’s is pleased to offer this watch for the first time at auction.
The applied Arabic numerals at 9, 12 and 3 o’clock require that the enamel dial be fitted specifically for this
configuration, as the index ‘feet’ are laid out before the enamel is heated and set. According to our research, only
two other examples of Ref. 2526 with Arabic hours have come to the market. One of these is cased in yellow gold
and is on display at the Patek Philippe Museum in Geneva.
The Arabic numeral and baton configuration featured on the present lot is one of the rarest options that were
available for the dials of Ref. 2526. Other exotic variations included Breguet numerals, diamond indexes, black dials
as well as the ‘Do Unto Others’ dial. While all highly sought after by collectors for their rarity and unusual looks, our
research indicates that examples featuring Arabic numerals have come to the market in the smallest quantities.
The Serpico Y Laino retailer’s marks on the present example are clearly visible on the dial, case and bracelet. This
esteemed Venezuelan retailer sold some of the finest watches by Patek Philippe in the 1940s and 1950s. Pink gold
watches were frequently made for the Latin American market, thus it is fitting that the present lot was created for the
elite of Caracas. It is estimated that pink gold pieces account for only one in six of the total production for Ref. 2526.
Ref. 2526 features the 12-600AT movement, an engineering marvel which made its debut at the 1953 Basel Fair.
As the first automatic movement made by the firm, its debut was delayed until Rolex’s 1933 patent for a full-rotation
self-winding movement expired. At the time of its release, it was one of the most highly-jeweled calibers for a time-
only watch produced by Patek Philippe, or indeed any firm.
CATALOGUE NOTE
This model, Ref. 3448, was launched in 1962. At that time, it was the only automatic perpetual calendar wristwatch
on the market. Ref. 3448 underwent four main evolutions, each introducing a new variation on the design. The
present example belongs to the second evolution, produced roughly between 1968 and 1976, which varied from the
original 3448 by replacing the painted minute track with a pearled minute track.
The subsequent evolutions are distinguished by their larger calendar numerals, wider-set hour indexes, a return to
the painted minute ring, and in the final evolution, a larger bezel in order to accomodate the sapphire crystal. The
model was ultimately succeeded by Ref. 3450, produced from 1981 to 1985, which included the leap year indication
and some more subtle differences. For an example of Ref. 3450, see lot 203 of this sale.
It is interesting to note the relatively small quantity of watches made in this reference. Only 586 pieces were made
in total over the 20 year production period, meaning roughly 30 examples were made each year. As such, Patek
Philippe’s technicians were able to pay the utmost attention to each piece.
One marker of the artistry that went into Ref. 3448 is the moonphase sector. Each plate is made in solid gold, hand-
enamelled in transluscent blue, set in high temperatures,and polished so that the gold stars and moon shine. As a
result, each plate bears slight variations from the next in the placement of the stars and tones of blue, and is one of
the most strikingly attractive feature of this exceptional and rare model.
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