Patek Philippe Perpetual Calendar Ref. 3449: Rarity Unveiled | Patek Philippe

Ref. 3449 - The three examples

It is believed that only three examples of the Patek Philippe Perpetual Calendar ref. 3449 were produced.

All were manufactured in 1961 and bear consecutive movement and case numbers.

Their common characteristics are as follows:

A yellow gold case crafted by Antoine Gerlach (Key Number 4) and measuring 37.5 x 10.9 x 44.3 mm. Each case has specific elements that distinguish it from the others: see below.

Manual winding calibre 23-300 Q

Produced during the transition period between the discontinuation of references 2497 and 2438/1 and the introduction of the reference 3448, reference 3449 is considered an experimental series, perhaps intended to serve as a “test platform” (Wei Koh's words) for reference 3448.

Here are the three examples presented by movement and case number in ascending order.

Best, Emmanuel

A/ MOVEMENT NO. 799'000 - CASE NO. 311'261

Design specificities: angular lugs & triple-stepped bezel

First sold on 15 September 1965 to a Patek Philippe retailer.

Sold at auction by Antiquorum in 1998 and by Christie's in 2011.

Watch by Patek Philippe, Grand Complications, 3449, Perpetual Calendar

credit: Antiquorum & Christie’s

B/ MOVEMENT NO. 799'001 - CASE NO. 311'262

Design specificities: “Swiss” at 6 o'clock on the dial, angular lugs & double-stepped bezel (it looks triple-stepped, but, as far as I can tell, it is because the upper part of the bezel features a circular angle)

First sold on the September 15th, 1965 to the Henri Stern Watch Agency, New-York.

Sold at auction by Antiquorum in 1989 and acquired by the Patek Philippe Museum, where it is now on display (Inv. P-738)

On display at the Patek Philippe Museum: Showcase no. 36 “Le point rouge” (The red dot), Inv. P-738.

Page 286 of the book by Martin Huber & Alan Banbery, Patek Philippe Genève Wristwatches (2nd edition)

Catalogue of the Patek Philippe Museum, Volume II, p. 298.

credit: Antiquorum & personal photos from the Patek Philippe Museum

C/ MOVEMENT NO. 799'002 - CASE NO. 311'263

Design specificities: straight lugs & triple-stepped bezel

First sold on May 31, 1965 by the Dallas jeweller Linz Brothers to Texas real estate developer George E. Poston.

Sold at auction by Christie's in 1996 (New York, June 26, 1996, lot 315) and 2001 (Geneva, November 13, lot 19), then by Antiquorum in 2004 and again by Christie's in 2014 (Geneva, Patek Philippe 175, lot 75).

As Auro Montanari aka John Goldberger recounts in the video below, in 2014, the watch was acquired by two watch dealers, an American and an Italian, who then offered him the watch: he traded his Rolex Paul Newman Cosmograph Yacht Master for it.

It will be sold tomorrow (June 4th, 2026) by Moncao Legend Auctions in Lugano (Exclusive Timepieces, lot 166)

Watch by Patek Philippe, Grand Complications, 3449

Watch by Patek Philippe, Grand Complications, 3449

The caseback is engraved with the name of the original owner, George E. Poston along with his birth and thirtieth birthdays: January 3, 1936, and 1966.

Below is an abbreviated phrase in French –“Plus qu’hier, moins que demain ” (More than yesterday, less than tomorrow).

This poetic phrase is taken from a stanza of the poem “L'Éternelle chanson, IX” (The Eternal Song, 9) by the French poet Rosemonde Gérard (1866-1953):

“And as every day I love you more,

Today more than yesterday and much less than tomorrow,

What will facial wrinkles matter then?

My love will be more thoughtful—and serene.

Considering that everyday memories are piling up,

These memories of mine will be yours too.

Those common memories entwine us all the more

And constantly between us weave other links.

It’s true, we’ll be old, very old, weakened by age,

But stronger each day I will squeeze your hand

For you see, every day I love you more,

Today more than yesterday and much less than tomorrow.”

credit: Wikimedia

Side by side with a ref. 2438.

credit: Andrea Parmegiani aka @_1_5_1_8_, Ernie aka @curlywatchguy, Hodinkee & Revolution

A timeline of the Perpetual Calendar models made by Patek Philippe from 1925 to 1985 taken from the Patek Philippe Magazine , Volume 3, Number 12: