1 / 1114 Nov 2026
57 / Patek Philippe
3448J, "Padellone", Perpetual Calendar, Moonphase, Yellow gold (18-carat)
Estimate: $200,000 – 300,000
- Brand
- Patek Philippe, Geneva
- Model
- Perpetual Calendar
- Year
- Circa 1971
- Reference
- 3448J
- Movement
- No. 1 119 215
- Calibre
- 27-460 Q, self-winding, 37 jewels
- Case
- No. 328 490
- Materials
- Yellow gold (18-carat)
- Bracelet
- Leather strap
- Buckle
- Yellow gold (18-carat) pin-buckle
- Dimensions
- Ø 37 mm
- Thickness
- 12 mm (approx.)
- Signature
- Dial, case and movement
- Accessories
- Extract from the Archives
Patek Philippe, reference 3448 This reference is of significant importance in the history of watchmaking, being the first self-winding wristwatch with a perpetual calendar to be produced in series. Today it is one of the brand’s most emblematic and sought-after models among collectors and enthusiasts, who classify it in the “vintage prestige” category and nickname it ‘Padellone’ or ‘Large Frying Pan’. Reference 3448 was produced between the early 1960s and the early 1980s. Production is estimated at 586 pieces. Its diameter is approximately 37 to 37.5 mm. Here are its main characteristics: • Perpetual calendar The watch displays the date of the month, the day of the week, the month of the year and the phases of the moon. The perpetual calendar mechanism automatically gives the exact length of each month of the year, considering whether it is 30 or 31 days long, and takes leap years into account, thus indicating February months of 28 or 29 days; all this without requiring manual correction until 2100. The calendar display features apertures (à guichets) for the day of the week and the month of the year. • Movement The watch is powered by a self-winding movement, the calibre 27-460 Q, which is and remains an exceptionally reliable mechanism. Its oscillating weight is in 18-carat yellow gold. Production began with serial number 1 119 000. • Case Round and pure, the case is crafted in yellow, white and rose gold by Antoine Gerlach of Geneva (maker’s mark: key 4). From a highly contemporary design, it is now synonymous with elegance and classicism. • Dial The dial is also very pure and perfectly legible, with its calendar aperture (à guichets). The gold baseplate is satin-finished and silvered, with applied gold ‘Bâton’ indexes. The hands are of the ‘Dauphine’ type. There are also dial variants with diamond- or ruby-set indexes and a number of other special designs. • Successor The reference 3448 was replaced by the reference 3450, a model with similar characteristics but with the addition of a leap-year cycle indicator on the dial. • Rarity and collector’s value Because of its limited production run and emblematic status, reference 3448 has become a highly sought-after watch on the art market, fetching very high prices at auction, particularly when it is a variant of the model. The reference is now divided by specialists into four series based on a chronological evolution of the dial. In fact, things are much more complex, because the case itself has undergone a manufacturing evolution that can be divided into two periods, each with its own production subtleties, ending with a glazed case-back. We could end up with almost ten series, all intertwined! –– Reference 3448 in a few words and figures • Production dates From 1962 to circa 1982. • Calibre 27-460 Q; production starts with serial number 1 119 000. • Quantity Estimated at 586 pieces, of which: ~ 450 in yellow gold; ~ 130 in white gold; ~ 6 in pink gold. Two pieces have been re-cased in platinum by the Manufacture. • Series The reference is now divided by specialists into four series referring to a chronological evolution of the dial: 1st series: 1962 – circa 1965 o classic external minute track, with engraved and enamelled lines o date of the month with small radiating numerals 2nd series: circa 1966 – circa 1972 o ‘perlé’ beaded external minute track, with milled dots (known as ‘water drops’) o date of the month with small radiating and rotating numerals 3rd series: circa 1971 – circa 1978 o ‘perlé’ beaded external minute track, with milled dots (known as ‘water drops’) o date of the month with large radiating and rotating numerals o after 1973, at 6 o’clock, the word ‘Swiss’ between two letters ‘sigma’ (Aprior logo) • 4th series: circa 1978 – circa 1982 o classic external minute track, with transferred lines o date of the month with large radiating and rotating numerals o at 6 o’clock, the word ‘Swiss’ between two letters ‘sigma’ (Aprior logo) • Variants The first timepieces produced had a winding-crown with a double ‘P’ (1962 – circa 1965); later, they were stamped with the ‘Calatrava’ logo. Cases produced between 1962 and 1974 have a bezel designed to accept a curved mineral lens; they are known as ‘small bezel’ cases. Cases produced around and after 1975 have a higher bezel designed to accommodate a slightly domed sapphire-crystal; they are known as ‘large bezel’ cases; the case-band is thinner. The calendar display has apertures (à guichets) for the day of the week and the month of the year. The names are generally given in English, sometimes in French or German and very occasionally in Italian or Spanish. A few examples have a glazed snap-on case-back; they are marketed under Ref. 3448-100. Some examples were produced with an integrated metal bracelet (14 known examples). A few dials have indexes set with baguette-cut or brilliant-cut diamonds or rubies (six known examples). Some other models have special, unique dials, made to order. A few examples do not show the phases of the moon (seven are known, known as ‘sans lune’ or ‘senza luna’). –– Bibliography • Huber & Banbery, 1998, pp. 288-289. • Patrizzi, 2010, vol. 1, p. 70 (No. 38, similar watch). • Patrizzi, 2010, vol. 2, pp. 219-223 (Nos 908-918, similar watches in various metals). • Patek Philippe Museum, 2014, vol. 2, pp. 296-297. • Nael, Ali, Patek Philippe, My Dream Collection, 2021, pp. 356-361. –– What is a perpetual calendar? A perpetual calendar is a horological calendar mechanism which, unlike a simple calendar, automatically adjusts the date of the month by taking into account the varying lengths of each month (30 or 31), as well as autocorrecting 29 February in leap years. Since the 18th century, watchmakers and scientists have succeeded in creating clocks and watches that can give these indications mechanically. As early as 1924, Audemars Piguet was the first manufacturer to produce wristwatches with a perpetual calendar and moon phases. In 1925, Patek Philippe modified a ladies’ perpetual calendar pendant-watch of its own invention to produce the first instantaneous changing perpetual calendar wristwatch with leap year indication. From the early 1940s onwards, Patek Philippe began manufacturing in series wristwatches with perpetual calendars, initially, around ten pieces were produced each year (Ref. 1526 and Ref. 1518, the latter with chronograph). In 1962, Patek Philippe created the first wristwatch with a self-winding perpetual calendar to be produced in series in the history of horology (Cal 27-460 Q, Ref. 3448). Patek Philippe was in fact the only manufacturer to produce perpetual calendars for decades, even during the quartz crisis of the 1970s. It was not until the 1980s and 1990s that its competitors followed suit. These facts and these watches only add to the reputation of the company – the best watch manufacturer in the world – and have delighted collectors for over forty years. ––
Biography
Patek Philippe, Master of all Horological Complication Patek Philippe is a prestigious Swiss watch manufacturer, renowned for its luxury watches and exceptional craftsmanship. Founded in 1839 in Geneva by Antoine Norbert de Patek (1812-1877) and François Czapek (1811-after 1869), the company quickly established its reputation as a manufacturer of superior watches. In 1844, following the National Exhibition of French Industrial Products in Paris, Antoine Norbert de Patek met Jean-Adrien Philippe (1814-1894), a young French watchmaker. In 1845, after Czapek’s departure, the two men concluded a commercial agreement and introduced numerous innovations in the field of watchmaking, notably a keyless-winding and time-setting system for which Philippe received a Bronze medal. In 1851, the company was renamed “Patek, Philippe & Cie – Fabricants à Genève”, and over the decades became synonymous with exclusivity, precision and technical perfection as evidenced by the wristwatch made for the countess Hungarian Koscowicz (1868), patents for a precision regulator (1881), a perpetual calendar mechanism (1889), a double chronograph (1902) and all the brand’s creations, whether pocket watches or watches. bracelets with horological complications. From the early 1900s until 1927, Patek Philippe introduced a unique business model. The house’s main distributor based in Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, “Gondolo & Labouriau” sold more than a third of the production at the time thanks to a cleverly orchestrated sales system. These timepieces, known as “Chronometro Gondolo”, are collector’s items famous both for their very high technical quality and for their unique history. The watches were sold at the time, exclusively to members of a very select clubs called the “Gondolo Gang” which have 180 members. Being part of these collector’s clubs was, at the beginning of the 20th century, a distinctive sign of success in Brazilian society. According to an ingenious raffle system, each member of the club agrees to buy a watch for the amount of 790 Swiss francs divided into 79 weekly instalments of 10 francs. During these 79 weeks of repayment, a weekly draw is organized where the winner is released from the balance of his debt. The first winner pays 10 francs for their watch, the second 20 francs, etc. The earlier you buy your watch, the cheaper it costs, provided you win this lottery. Echoing this episode in its history, the “Gondolo” collection was reinterpreted in 1993 with shaped watches. In 1932, Patek Philippe became a family business when the Stern family, already involved in the production of dials for the brand, bought the company. It is also the year of the launch of a model that will become the brand’s flagship collection: the “Calatrava”. Even today, it contributes to the success and reputation of the company. Among the emblematic models of Patek Philippe, we can also mention the “Ellipse” (1968) with its elliptical-shaped case, at the crossroads of the circle and the rectangle which is inspired by the “golden ratio”; the “Nautilus” (1976), a sporty and luxurious watch whose case is inspired by a porthole; or watches for women, such as the “Twenty-4” collection (1999), which combines feminine elegance with horological precision. Since its creation, the brand has been driven by a spirit of innovation. In 1989, Patek Philippe released a very complex model to celebrate its 150th anniversary. Named “Calibre 89”, the watch is equipped with 33 horological complications and its calibre is made up of 1 728 parts. Eleven years later, in order to celebrate the second millennium, the brand released the “Star Calibre 2000” model, a double-sided pocket watch with 21 horological complications. Finally, the year 2002 saw the launch of the “Sky Moon Tourbillon” model, the most complicated double-sided wristwatch ever produced by the house. Benchmark precision instruments, Patek Philippe watches are also recognized by collectors for being objects of art whose beauty reflects perfection. For many years, Patek Philippe has strived to preserve all the high craftsmanship professions linked for more than four centuries to the decoration of timepieces. This is how exceptional contemporary creations come into being – pocket watches, wristwatches, or clocks –, most often unique pieces, which highlight all these skills that are threatened with disappearance. This transmission value is essential for the brand. Patek Philippe can be proud of having filed more than 70 patents since its creation, notably for a Gyromax balance-wheel (1949), mechanical watches with time zones (1959), a mechanical movement with peripheral rotor (1964), an indicator mechanism of the date of Easter (1985), an annual calendar (1996) or even an astronomical representation mechanism (2000). These technical innovations have largely contributed to advancing the horological industry while contributing to the brand’s reputation for excellence. Today, Patek Philippe is a watch brand that continues to produce superior quality watches that are admired by watch enthusiasts around the world. -- Key Dates • 1839: foundation of “Patek, Czapek & Cie2 by Antoine Norbert de Patek and François Czapek in Geneva. • 1845: following the departure of Czapek, the company becomes “Patek & Cie”. Arrival of Jean-Adrien Philippe, a young French watchmaker who invented a keyless-winding and time-setting mechanism. • 1851: the company is now called “Patek, Philippe & Cie”. The house presented its products at the Universal Exhibition in London, the first event of its kind. • 1868: manufacture of the first wristwatch for the Hungarian Countess Koscowicz. • 1901: the company becomes a public limited company. • 1932: acquisition of a majority of shares by the Stern family, one of the manufacturers of dials for the brand. Launch of the reference 96 which will later be called “Calatrava”. • 1949: patent for the “Gyromax” balance-wheel. • 1953: launch of the self-winding “Calibre 12-600 AT”. • 1968: launch of the first “Golden Ellipse” model, the Ref. 3548. • 1976: launch of the first “Nautilus” sports watch, the Ref. 3700/1 in stainless steel. • 1989: 150th anniversary of the manufacture. Launch of various commemorative watches and the “Calibre 89”, at the time the most complicated watch ever made, with 33 horological complications. • 1996: establishment of the new factory in Plan-les-Ouates, near Geneva. • 2001: inauguration of the Patek Philippe Museum in Geneva, exhibiting a remarkable collection of antique watches, horological art and enamel (1500-1850), and Patek Philippe watches. • 2019: 180th anniversary of the manufacture. -- Iconic models and current collections • “Calatrava”: this collection is emblematic of the manufacture. These watches are distinguished by their clean and classic design, with a round case and a minimalist dial. The “Calatrava” embodies timeless elegance and represents the brand’s traditional watchmaking know-how. • “Nautilus”: this model is one of the most emblematic models of the manufacture. Designed by Gérald Genta, it is high-end sports watch recognizable by its octagonal case and its integrated bracelet. It offers a perfect balance between sportiness and elegance. • “Aquanaut”: this collection is another line of sports watches from Patek Philippe. These watches are characterized by its octagonal case and rubber strap. It offers a contemporary aesthetic and high resistance to hydrostatic pressure. • “Twenty-4”: this collection is specially designed for women. These watches combine classic elegance with contemporary style. Initially equipped with a rectangular-shaped case and offering a selection of models with diamonds and steel or gold bracelets, they are now round in shape.