Important Modern and Vintage Timepieces.

Geneva, Nov 13, 2010

LOT 252

Patek Philippe Ref. 3450 - Roman Leap-Year Display Patek Philippe, Genève, movement No. 1119784, case No. 2808561, Ref. 3450, Third Series. Made in 1985. Very fine and very rare, self-winding, 18K yellow gold wristwatch with perpetual calendar, moon phases, Roman numerals for the leap year indication and an 18K yellow gold Patek Philippe buckle. Accompanied by a wooden fitted box, setting pin, Certificate of Origin and instruction booklet.

CHF 200,000 - 300,000

USD 200,000 - 300,000 / EUR 150,000 - 220,000

Sold: CHF 212,500

C. Three-body, solid, polished and brushed, inclined bezel, sapphire crystal. d. Matte silver with applied yellow gold faceted baton and pyramidal indexes, subsidiary date dial, apertures for the days of the week, the month, leap year and moon phases. Yellow gold dauphine hands. M. Cal. 27-460 Q, stamped twice with the Seal of Geneva Quality Mark, rhodium plated, fausses cotes decoration, 37 jewels, straight line lever escapement, Gyromax balance adjusted to heat, cold, isochronism and 5 positions, shock absorber, selfcompensating free-sprung Breguet balance spring, 18K gold rotor. Dial, case and movement signed. Diam. 38 mm. Thickness 12 mm.


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Grading System
Grade:
Case: 2

Very good

Movement: 2*

Very good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense

Dial: 2-01

Very good

HANDS Original

Notes

Ref. 3450 Produced in 244 examples from 1981 to 1986 with the caliber 27-460 QPB, the majority in yellow gold, very few in pink or white gold. ? First series: leap year display in red on the dial.
? Second series: leap year display in Arabic numerals on the dial. Made in very few examples with sapphire crystal back.
? Third series: leap year display in Roman numerals on the dial.
A similar watch is illustrated in "Patek Philippe Wristwatches" by Martin Huber and Alan Banbery, 1998, page 290.
This particular example was sold in 1985, probably one of the last 3450's to leave the Patek Philippe factory as they discontinued this reference in 1986. The watch has obviously been worn very little and has remained in a safe for most of its life. Still showing its factory finish to the case as well as beautifully preserved hallmarks it is one of the nicest examples to appear at auction. Maintaining its original caseback sticker as well as thick and angled lugs that attest to its unmolested condition, the perfect example for the discerning collector.