Patek Reference 3483 - completing a theme

Feb 24, 2014,09:00 AM
 

Building a collection is hard. It takes thought and a great deal of patience. I have spent a lot of time thinking about my collection of vintage Rolex. More recently I have been spending time thinking about my Patek collection. I teased recently about which watches I needed to add in order to complement the 5070P, 5124G and Aquanaut that were already part. Of course, I also had a 5110G as part of that collection. This article takes a look at what I consider to be a final jigsaw in my collection, completing the group and adding something quite different - a vintage Calatrava. The existing four watches in my collection are all modern variants. It made total sense to me to look for something vintage as the concluding part. Further, i decided that i would look for something in steel. I have white gold in two of the existing watches and platinum in one. Adding a steel Calatrava seemed to make sense.


But which one? First of all, finding vintage steel Calatravas is not that simple. Credit here to Miranda who did a wonderful evaluation of various vintage steel pieces. All credit to him for these. The Reference 96 came with either subsidiary or centre seconds along with an array of differing dials. The 96, however, typically came on a 31mm case. The Reference 570 emerged with a 35-36mm case and was thus much more appropriate in my search given its size. Likewise the reference 2508 and 2509 also featured in the search. Finding gold versions of these watches was not especially hard, but finding steel was close to impossible. One watch that really caught my attention was the Reference 565 in steel. This was the model that provided the template for the 5565 commemoration model. I like the commemoration version, but would prefer to get the original. An original 565 is definitely one that can be found and was certainly on my list. Others that have featured high on my list were the 3417 Amagnetic. Please see the incredible review of the 3417 provided by mstanga on this forum. A steel Amagnetic would, of course, make a perfect addition. Yet, despite all these possible distractions, I decided on this - the 3483. This was not easy to find. In fact, I could find more 3417s than I could 3483s!

























I have very much enjoyed building a collection in Patek, but this one, I think, gives me more pleasure than any. For me, it rivals my 5070P as my favourite Patek. 

The 3483 contains a Cal. 27 SC inside a 35mm steel case. The 27SC was produced between 1949-1970 with movement number between 700,000 - 712,699 and between 1953-1965 with movement number between 880,000 - 888,178. The 27SC was, of course, used in a number of different watch references. The movement number on mine is 711XXX, placing it as mid-1960s. The archive extracts place it as 1966. 

Over the years, a few 3483s have come up for auction. The serial numbers on these watches have been 2639XXX-2659XXX. I am sure that this range is not definitive, but it is what my research unveiled. 

What attracted me about this watch?

Well, I love the fact that it is hand-wound rather than automatic version. As far as I know, all 27SC are hand-wound..... but I am open to hearing otherwise. 

The sweep central seconds is also a feature that I liked a great deal. The 27SC features on a number of other references, but not that many in steel. 

The 3483 was, I believe, launched in 1963. I would love that to be confirmed if anyone can. I have not been able to find production later than 1968, so would assume it was a 5 year run. 

But what really made this watch special for me was the nature of the dial. It has a certain pearl-like finish that captures the light in such a special way.The layout of the dial could not be simpler. No numerals. No date. Incredibly simple. Incredibly pure. 

The scans I took of the dial today, in the sun, definitely pick up on this pearl finish. Just wonderful to view. 

Case size of 35mm initially worried me. However, I have a small wrist. I think I can just about get away with 40mm on a Rolex. Depending on the depth of the watch, I can maybe hit 42mm, but my preferred size is definitely 37-38mm. That feels very comfortable for me. At 35mm, this sits perfectly...most definitely not too small. 

1966 vintage. Steel. Simple and pure. Central seconds. Calatrava. 

What more did i need to pull the trigger?

The cherry on the icing on the cake.









This message has been edited by Baron on 2014-02-24 09:09:46


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Nice one Baron !!

 
 By: GLau : February 24th, 2014-09:09
Lots of thinking and research definitely went into building your collection with the right mix. Your post shows the joy that you had in the process. Congrats !! Gordon

Thanks Gordon...

 
 By: Baron - Mr Red : February 24th, 2014-09:12
......yes, i did narrow the field down quite a bit....process of elimination is a good way to work sometimes! Many thanks

Great upgraded Patek collection Baron ;-))

 
 By: patrickh : February 24th, 2014-09:17
Thanks for sharing here your Passion and your Choices. Enjoy wearing all of them. Best regards, Patrickh

Thanks Parickh

 
 By: Baron - Mr Red : February 24th, 2014-09:42
Yep....i see it as a big upgrade....now i can go vintage Patek and that means a lot to me!

Baron, I am very happy for you ...

 
 By: small-luxury-world : February 24th, 2014-10:35
that you found such a nice piece and even better/more interesting one in steel. Congrats! It is a very classical beauty, which doesn´t show it´s qualities to everybody - at least not on the first view. The inner values are even better. The fact that you e... 

Hey Oliver....

 
 By: Baron - Mr Red : February 24th, 2014-10:56
.....i have just taken some scans of the movement. I will post them tomorrow as I have a report to finish off for work.... but scans are taken...will just need to edit them on photoshop first. Best Joe

Movement

 
 By: Baron - Mr Red : February 24th, 2014-11:41
. ...playing with the scans proved a lot more fun than finishing my work report! Double stamped...i like that! ...  

What a great addition to your already spectacular collection

 
 By: watch-guy.com : February 24th, 2014-15:41
Great vintage choice- I have a very soft spot for these vintage pieces. Stainless steel and and high quality 27 SC movement- what more could you want. Congratulations again Julian

That was a good ...

 
 By: small-luxury-world : February 25th, 2014-06:12
start :-) Thanks! Oliver

Just I've one thing to say……

 
 By: Miranda : February 24th, 2014-10:39
That's one beautiful rare piece ,and it looks sublime on your wrist…… Sometimes I guess skinny works ;) Ps I was not joking, I am borrowing it for one year… lol:)

I appreciate your comments

 
 By: Baron - Mr Red : February 24th, 2014-10:55
...a great deal. Honestly, it has blown me away.

(patek) Patek 3488 - completing a theme

 
 By: geross : February 24th, 2014-12:09
beautiful i myself is eyeing a vintage piece. congratulations! best geross

An absolutely beautiful watch...

 
 By: jeffrey2 : February 24th, 2014-16:17
I love the lugs, which remind me a bit of the 3448. These can be tricky with polishing, but looks like someone took very nice care of your watch. And I assume the icing on the cake is the original box -- very cool! Jeff.

Thanks Jeff...

 
 By: Baron - Mr Red : February 25th, 2014-03:37
.....yes, original box and outer box is just a pure bonus! Some Pateks are very flamboyant and extrovert. I think, historically, the heritage is very much the opposite. I think this one captures that under-stated mode really well... yet the pearl nature o... 

Now, that is a superb addition, Joe.

 
 By: amanico : February 24th, 2014-23:24
I love this one a lot. A vintage Calatrava, in stainless Steel, is a GREAT classic. Examplar in understatement, discretion and class, but also sweet and sensual. I cannot imagine the Duo you would have of you get a 3417! Thank you so much for this well wr... 

The things is Nicolas....

 
 By: Baron - Mr Red : February 25th, 2014-00:33
.....i remember when i was about 12-13, in the playground....lots of boys and girls all running around. If i happened to spot a particularly pretty girl, I would just announce to my friends that i had seen her first and that therefore she was "mine" and t... 

Excellent. I love the way you put it. ;)

 
 By: amanico : February 25th, 2014-00:46
Ok, in this case, we'll try to get two. ;) Best, Joe. Nicolas

+1

 
 By: small-luxury-world : February 25th, 2014-10:57
:-)

Excellent choice Joe

 
 By: Mike H : February 25th, 2014-10:44
And this one is a wonderful example of 3483, huge congrats!

Mike...many thanks

 
 By: Baron - Mr Red : February 25th, 2014-11:27
It is certainly true that this one has given me a lot of joy. Many thanks for your comments Joe

Did not see this one comming...! :)

 
 By: blomman Mr Blue : February 25th, 2014-10:49
What a great addition to your already fantastic PP collection! Huge congrats, dear Baron! :) Really love these classic Patek in SS. Did not see this one comming... Thought you were aming for the 3417. Well, since you are a true gentleman, you hold off... ... 

Well....

 
 By: Baron - Mr Red : February 25th, 2014-11:19
...i must say that the 3417 and 3483 share some similarities as well as some differences too. Having saids that, I must say that having the 3483 on my wrist these past two days has been more exhilarating than anything i can remember since the 5070 or 1665... 

More understatement seems impossible

 
 By: cisco : February 27th, 2014-08:44
Nice one :) , enjoy

PP 3483

 
 By: Roni M : September 6th, 2014-07:44
Hi I love the 3483 and am looking for one...if you don't mind me asking what should I expect to pay for one in mint condition as the price range seems quite variable? Thanks so much, Roni

i will PM you

 
 By: Baron - Mr Red : September 6th, 2014-07:54

What is very nice...

 
 By: lascases : May 16th, 2019-22:41
... about this watch is the Patek Philippe logo in Emaille technique. Many other references in steel had a printed logo (to save production cost, steel was lower priced back then). Very nice watch. I love how the winding of the 27SC feels. A very nice mec...