Patek Philippe

I would like to know more about this watch as I am tempted to get one in the near future. Can someone tell me what should be aware of? The different generations and what about the reversed calendar, is it much preferred?

If you are prepared to spend the kind of money it takes to get into a 3448, you are very wise to do some serious “Due Diligence “. There were close to 600 of the 3448 made over a period of many years . Several of our Forum Members know a LOT about that reference. One of the things that I know about the 3448 is that collectors are very particular about the condition of the lugs. They should be very sharp and well defined. Research the market and buy only from a reliable dealer. There are two or three here in the United States that I would trust to sell me that watch in its correct form. Such an excellent and important watch! You may be able to dig up valuable information from the Forum archive. 

but it doesn't seem to easily tell what is considered well defined lugs when there is no comparison. I know there's different generation and also different calendar ring. Not sure if any of them is more desirable than another.

Dealer is the way to go with this watch. They will know all about wether the piece has been extensively polished and altered to any great extent. By the way, the watch being shown in the pictures you provided is being represented by a VERY top guy! Not the least expensive guy, but a  very legit guy. Remember, you buy the dealer, especially in a case like this. For this type of a purchase you would do well to travel to the dealer in person and sit down with them and look at the watch together. Ask them to explain about polishing and “crispness”. You need to deal with a reliable expert. You are not going to get a “Bargain” on a good example of a 3448 . Hopefully you will own that watch for many years and enjoy it thoroughly!

Can you tell me more about the dealer in private message?

Amazing piece. Please let us know what you find out about the watch and what to look out for.
I love seeing the other members post pics and their experiences with the watch. They post usually a few times per year.
It’s imo one if the nicest watches ever made. I have been wearing Patek watches since 2000 and have always been in awe of the wonder watch.

Seeing it in the metal helped me to understand why some are crazy about it. 

This is a great piece. By any chance do you know if this is which generation ?

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I have pm him too but no reply . Let him know his expertise is needed here...hehe

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Terrible iPhone photos and unfortunately not for sale (not that I can afford it but may have put both kidneys up for sale). What an astounding watch. To the OP - go for it!

to match what Mike H or Baron's have is almost near impossible. Still trying...

Maketh this watch! It truly felt special. If I do come across one I know who to alert

where the numbers are represented 'radially' around the dial in all cases. Unfortunately this style is rarely seen in modern watches.

This info is very useful. I like to deal with nice guy

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You are always there for me

... are dubious. They lack sharpness and don't show all of the relevant parts of the watch.

but this dealer's images are all 'badly' taken. Not everyone is a good photographer haha. I have requested him to show me pic of the hallmark and sharp images of the lugs.

... sonetimes the pictures are badly taken to disguise problems. I am speaking of experience here, unfortunately. Be cautious.

asked for specific questions. They replied they will gat back to me with what I ask ASAP and then a few days later, they simply told me the watch is on hold. still, the same watch is still being listed. I think my questions are too difficult to be answered.

... what feels weired, don‘t you agree? Strange behaviour of the dealer.

...and one of the greatest complicated Patek Philippe watches ever made. The holy grail is an early (pre-1970) example with engraved hard enamel dial in white gold, of which only 4 are known. Yellow gold is much more affordable, again the worthwhile pursuit is an early example made before 1970 with enamel engraved dial since most examples known are post-1970 with printed dials. Not easy to find in original, "untouched" condition. Good luck!

Early 3448 have pearl minute dots and raised enamel numerals but I have never heard of enamel dial 3448. I think Mike H's 3448 is the early version. The one I posted in this link is from 1971 and should be considered early too. It has pearl minute dots and raised enamel numerals. Printed dials are probably from 1973 onwards and they tend to be in nicer condition too, especially those from 1977, 1978.

To reply to your question mine is also from 1971 if my memory serves me well. I cannot check since I am away but I shall confirm upon my return. Just like you I have never heard about enamel dial on a 3448 (at least born with the watch). Indeed this first generation with pearl minute dots and raised numerals has an incredible charm, that makes a huge difference vs its successor imho. Indeed the following generation with painted minute track and numerals can often be found in better condition but to me what attracts me in the Wonder Watch is this incredible charm of the pearl minute dots and the raised numerals. Yes I was lucky to find a 1st gen in this nice condition and yes I was crazy to buy it but I don’t regret it one minute for it was my grail watch during more than 20 years before I can get one and I am still in love 😍 😍😍

but do correct me if I'm wrong. I think the link I post and your Wonder watch are Second Generation. From what I have read these few days. the First Generation has enamel raised minute marker and small calender date font. Yours is pearl and big calendar date font, which I find it more attractive. Now the question is do you know much about reversed date?

Not enamel dial but that the early (only pre-1970 for ref .3448) dials were engraved and filled with hard enamel for the signatures and scales then fired, a costly and traditional practice that was dropped after 1970 in favor of simply printing the dials. Look at a dial (on a real watch, not photo) on a 3448 made in the 1960's and compare that with another example made after 1970.

the raised enamel writing. These are around on some of the 1971 pieces too.  The first series has minute division lines in raised enamel.

For ref. 3448 the transition from engraved hard enamel to printed dials happened in 1970. For other references such as the 2499 the switch from engraved to printed took place a couple of years after around 1972. The four series of the 3448 are roughly as follows: 1) engraved hard enamel dials with line minute divisions 2) engraved hard enamel dials with pearl dot minute divisions 3) printed dials with pearl dot minute divisions 4) printed dials with line minute divisions. 3rd and 4th series account for more than 90% of total production. The earliest white gold examples appeared in the second series.