1971 18ct White Gold Automatic Wristwatch with Date on Bracelet by Patek Philippe
1971 18ct White Gold Automatic Wristwatch with Date on Bracelet by Patek Philippe
1971 18ct white gold automatic wristwatch with date on bracelet by Patek Philippe
Produced between the years of 1961 and 1981, the reference 3445 was Patek Philippe’s first automatic wristwatch with a date function made in series, also featuring a water resistant style screw down case back. The movement, cal. 27-460 was an evolution of Patek Philippe’s first automatic caliber, the 12-600AT, which was fitted to the legendary reference 2526. The cal. 27-460 had received several upgrades, including a Gyromax balance wheel, a ball bearing, and some additional jewels.
Price: £POA.
Details
Brand: Patek Philippe
Model/Ref: 3445
Material: 18ct white gold
Year: 1971
Calibre: 27-460 M self-winding, date
Case: 35mm
Dial: The brushed blue dial features polished baton hour indices, baton hands,subsidiary seconds at 6 o’clock, date window at 3 o’clock and an outer minute track.
Bracelet length: 170mm (6 3/4 in.)
Patek Philippe
For many, Patek Philippe is regarded as the pinnacle of watch excellence. With timepieces always crafted in limited numbers, Patek Philippe’s attention to detail and horological aptitude have granted the company acclaim the world over. Its beginnings however, were humble.
Antoine Norbert de Patek began making pocket watches in 1839 in Geneva, accompanied by his fellow Polish migrant Franciszek Czapek. The company that formed was called 'Patek, Czapek & Cie’ and enjoyed relative success but, Czapek had grown restless and desired to form his own watchmaking company.
Meanwhile, during a visit to the French Industrial Exposition Antoine Norbert de Patek met a Monsieur Adrien Philippe who on that day had earned a Gold Medal for his latest invention, a mechanism for watches which allowed them to be wound and set by means of crown rather than a key.
After Czapek and Patek went their separate ways in 1844, Adrien Philippe joined the business and in 1851 the company now known as Patek Philippe was officially established.
Patek and Philippe sought to create a company that was at the forefront of luxury watches with superior movements and quality that far surpassed that of their rivals. Their desire for success granted Patek Philippe admirers in high society and numerous awards globally for horological excellence.
This sleek wristwatch was an important step in Patek Philippe's brand history; this being their first automatic timepiece to feature a date.