Patek Philippe

Hi All, I’ve got a 3445 Calatrava in full 18k yellow gold (band and case) handed down from my grandfather. He bought it circa 1970 and was his daily. He would have worn it till his passing in 1997 and was sitting in a drawer until 2018. I don’t think it’s...  

your best option. It should be cleaned and serviced. Do not let them polish it.

Thanks! So it should be serviced? This won’t just open up a can of worms? Why do you suggest to not let them polish it?

In general, collectors prefer to avoid polishing because it removes a small amount of the original metal layer and in order to maintain the original “integrity”/condition of a watch…unless it is in really bad shape and needs the polishing. In the case of ... 

Thank you! This makes total sense and is like a gold ring…got it! I had the band slightly shortened (cut) a couple years ago and they polished it after they worked on it.

If you can't trust them to fix it, who else can. Don't worry too much. As for polishing, i'm still trying to get my head around the prevalent advice against doing so for myriad reasons. End of the day, if you do not intend to sell the watch and you feel h... 

Any issues if it has never been serviced before?

The most common issues that arise if you never service it: gaskets dry out and crack. Lubricants become gummy and slow mechanisms. I’m sure others here know far more, but those are the general problems

Thanks for your thoughts, appreciate it!

Also I know from a jewelry POV that everyone it’s polished (yellow gold that’s not rhodium plated), a tiny bit of gold is removed. Assuming the more times it’s polished the more gold goes. Not sure when or if it ever becomes a problem though…maybe if the ... 

Personally, i do not think it is an issue if it has never been serviced. On polishing excessive amount of gold, really depends on how many times and extent of the polish done over its lifetime. PP can advise. Good luck and keep us posted on the outcome. H... 

Interesting, appreciate your thoughts, thanks.

Serviced a40’s Calatrava by Patek. Putting costs aside. They will give you detailed quotation, and you can pick what you want (like polish or not). The will fix it with spec parts, like correct crown and glass, even gold spring bars. AND you will get a Pa... 

They have quoted me for the service/glass, so long as nothing else is damaged which I don’t think it is. Do you regularly service it or was yours a once in a long time service (like mine)? I guess I’m concerned once they fiddle with it it’ll never be the ... 

Also not even sure I’d trust anyone here to remove the band. I’d likely drop the watch off at the Salon in Geneva myself (the guy on the phone told me to drop it to him as he knows the story).

final was 2800EUR as well. will search my files later This is for a vintage calatrava , small second They did great case restoration and hands work ...  

Curious as to whether you pay once the work is done, and possibly inspected? I’ll be dropping the watch off in person. Thanks for sharing. Was your watch in good condition? I see it says it needed a new crown, case repair etc. I’m no expert but my watch I... 

I own a 3445 and had it serviced at Patek Singapore. I believe due to the age, the watch would have been sent to Geneva. Can confirm that they did a good job. However I did not polish the watch. 3445 contains a simple automatic movement and Patek have the...  

i would not be surprised that the case could be damaged and cracked as the case would have flexed to break the glass-if you have a loupe please check. dropping a watch on its crown-could also damage the winding and motion/setting works for the hands-have ... 

Silly question but how could the good case crack? I’ll double check tomorrow but at the time had a good look and couldn’t see any other damage. Mhmm that’s a good point. Now that I think of it I’m not sure if it was a direct hit on the crown. However, the... 

It’s so cool to see this in the white gold version (or platinum?)! Amazing. Do people ask you about the watch when wearing it? Also I noticed your says “Beyer” on the second dial…and mine doesn’t. Any idea what that is? Was it also a long wait to get the ... 

The bracelet was cut for a wrist slimmer than mine by the previous owner. I keep it because it is beautiful and I do not have the heart to part with it although I do not use it. Also I keep it to inspire me to lose weight in the hope that I would be able ... 

It’s a great looking piece, so even if you’re not wearing it, still awesome to have. Hopefully one day you get to wear it keep your head up and you’ll get there!!! Thanks for the costs.

where you can check for any-'cracks' in the case. the ink will show up any cracks-use a black felt tip pen.

and for me that greatly diminishes what made the 3445 special. Perhaps Patek can polish it in a way that avoids this pitfall. Perhaps not. I would proceed with caution if you are thinking of polishing this watch.

Thanks! Will just go with the service and repair.

The oils inside could be dried out, which might lead to issues down the line. I’d lean towards getting the service done—especially since you’re already looking at a repair for the cracked plexi. Just make sure to choose a trusted watchmaker who has experi... 

I have decided to have it serviced as well. Service and repair will be done with PP in Geneva. I actually ended up speaking to a watchmaker at their salon/head office and I’ll be meeting with him to hand over the watch. He appreciates the backstory and th...