DTL
687
The first self-winding perpetual calendar wristwatch in the world...
...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!
Patek 3448j question
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? I saw this on Chrono24 and wonder ...
Smart Move!
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 re...
Thanks...
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.
A well regarded Vintage Patek Philippe
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 th...
The Wonder Watch!!
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 m...
I have to say that I much preferred it in the real life than on pictures.
Seeing it in the metal helped me to understand why some are crazy about it. Our dear Mike H' s one. We can seriously call it a Classic. Best, Nicolas ...
Nico...
This is a great piece. By any chance do you know if this is which generation ?
Where is Mike? :-)
I have pm him too but no reply . Let him know his expertise is needed here...hehe
In the presence of greatness!
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! ...
It is very difficult to find one...
to match what Mike H or Baron's have is almost near impossible. Still trying...
The lugs...
Maketh this watch! It truly felt special. If I do come across one I know who to alert
I prefer this calendar 'style'...
where the numbers are represented 'radially' around the dial in all cases. Unfortunately this style is rarely seen in modern watches. I have personally met this dealer at his shop in Manhattan and while I did not buy a watch (I was looking at 3940s) he is...
The images in the link...
... are dubious. They lack sharpness and don't show all of the relevant parts of the watch. In cases like this I would always expect a reason for the dealer to show images like those - and not better images. Be cautious...
True about the images...
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.
Unfortunately, ...
... sonetimes the pictures are badly taken to disguise problems. I am speaking of experience here, unfortunately. Be cautious.
I asked for better images and
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 answere...
That is exactly...
... what feels weired, don‘t you agree? Strange behaviour of the dealer.
The first self-winding perpetual calendar wristwatch in the world...
...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 pursu...
I am not sure you are correct.
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 an...
Sorry for the late reply as I am out of station on business trip
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...
Awesome Mike...
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 d...
No...
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....
I think you mean the pearl minutes marking and
the raised enamel writing. These are around on some of the 1971 pieces too. The first series has minute division lines in raised enamel.
No, here we go...
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 ...
I have seen quite a few
3448 dial from 1971 to 1973 with hard raised enamel dials. I believe Mike's one os from 1971. The link I showed above was 1971 too. So are you certain the strict cutoff is 1970? Thanks.
Look closer...
Especially at the date ring. The engraved dials fired with hard enamel has a thinner font compared to the printed dials. The yellow 3448 gold in your chrono24 link has a printed dial. Mike H's watch has an engraved hard enamel dial and I would be surprise...
Thanks DTL...
Do you know what's the main difference between the third series and the forth series? The 3rd series usually also has printed dial, so is the 4th series. onlyvintage.com Do you know which series is this and what do you think of its condition? Thank yo...
The watch in your link...
...is a late example in yellow gold from the 4th series, the most common variant, necessarily with a printed "sigma" dial. Condition looks good but it is difficult to pass judgement based on photos alone. The cases of many vintage watches have been "recon...