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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Wristwatch · Self-winding perpetual calendar wristwatch with moon phases

Patek Philippe Ref. 3448 Perpetual Calendar Wristwatch

Partially verified

This Patek Philippe reference 3448 is an 18K white gold self-winding gentleman's wristwatch featuring a perpetual calendar and moon phase complication. Produced in the 1970s, the watch is signed on the dial, case, and movement. The exterior comprises a solid, three-body case with an inclined bezel and triangular lugs, measuring 37 mm in diameter and 12 mm in thickness. The matte silver dial is furnished with applied white gold baton indexes and white gold dauphine hands, alongside apertures for days of the week, months, and a yellow gold moon phase indicator. The movement is the caliber 27-460 Q, an automatic mechanism featuring a rhodium-plated finish, fausses côtes decoration, 37 jewels, and an 18K yellow gold rotor. The watch is accompanied by an Extract from the Archives and remains an example of the production series that began in 1962.

Front view of the Patek Philippe Ref. 3448 18K white gold perpetual calendar wristwatch.
Front view of the Patek Philippe Ref. 3448 18K white gold perpetual calendar wristwatch. — Antiquorum. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
catalog.antiquorum.swiss
Category
Wristwatch · Self-winding perpetual calendar wristwatch with moon phases
Maker / attribution
Patek Philippe
Reference
3448
Catalogue / lot identifier
246
Source-reported date
1970s
Source-reported place
Switzerland
Source-reported serial
1119379

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Case and Dial

The timepiece features a solid three-body 18K white gold case, finished with a combination of polished and brushed surfaces. It is designed with an inclined bezel and distinctive triangular lugs, providing the watch with a diameter of 37 mm and a thickness of 12 mm. The assembly includes an 18K white gold Patek Philippe buckle.

The matte silver dial displays applied white gold baton-style hour indexes. It incorporates a graduation for the days of the month, surrounding the moon phase aperture, which is rendered in yellow gold. Additional apertures are positioned on the upper half of the dial to indicate the day of the week and the month, while the time is indicated by white gold dauphine hands.

Evidence for this section
  • “C. Three-body, solid, polished and brushed, inclined bezel, triangular lugs.”
  • “D. Matte silver with applied white gold bâton indexes, graduation for the days of the month, apertures for the days of the week, the months and the yellow gold moon phases.”

Movement and Technical Features

Power is provided by the caliber 27-460 Q, a self-winding perpetual calendar movement. It is rhodium-plated and features fausses côtes decoration. The caliber is constructed with 37 jewels and a straight-line lever escapement. An 18K yellow gold rotor facilitates the automatic winding.

Precision in timekeeping is maintained by a Glucydur Gyromax balance, adjusted to heat, cold, isochronism, and 5 positions. The movement is equipped with a shock absorber and a self-compensating, free-sprung Breguet balance spring. The movement is marked with the Geneva Quality Hallmark.

Evidence for this section
  • “M. Cal. 27-460 Q, stamped with the Geneva Quality Hallmark, rhodium-plated, "fausses côtes" decoration, 37 jewels”
  • “Glucydur Gyromax balance adjusted to heat, cold, isochronism and 5 positions”

Historical Context and Documentation

Reference 3448 was produced between 1962 and 1982, with a total production run of 586 examples. While the majority of these pieces were manufactured in yellow gold, versions in white and pink gold are considered less frequent. The serial numbering for this specific series commenced at 1119000.

The present lot is accompanied by an Extract from the Archives confirming its specifications. Auction records indicate that this reference has been documented in horological literature, specifically in the publication 'Patek Philippe Wristwatches' by Martin Huber and Alan Banbery.

Evidence for this section
  • “Produced in 586 examples from 1962 to 1982”
  • “Accompanied by an Extract from the Archives.”
  • “A similar watch is published in "Patek Philippe Wristwatches", by Martin Huber and Alan Banbery, 1998, p. 288.”

Open research questions

  • Are there specific service records that explain the current 'oxidized' grading of the dial?
  • Could further archival data determine the specific year of production within the 1970s?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Patek Philippe Ref. 3448 Perpetual Calendar Wristwatch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerPatek Philippe, Genève“Patek Philippe, Genève”
Movement Number1119379“No. 1119379”
Case Number331540“case No. 331540”
Movement CaliberCal. 27-460 Q“M. Cal. 27-460 Q”
Case ConstructionThree-body, 18K white gold“C. Three-body, solid, polished and brushed, inclined bezel, triangular lugs.”
Jewel Count37“37 jewels”
Balance TypeGlucydur Gyromax“Glucydur Gyromax balance”
Included AccessoryExtract from the Archives“Accompanied by an Extract from the Archives.”

Visible details

  • Matte silver dial with apertures for day and month
  • Triangular lugs integrated into the white gold case
  • Yellow gold moon phase disc visible at the 6 o'clock position
  • Applied baton-style hour markers in white gold

Research qualifications

  • The auction house grading lists the dial condition with specific 'Oxidized' notations.
  • The source records the case condition as '3-5 Good Poor' according to their grading system.

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

'White 3448' Patek Philippe, Genève, No. 1119379, case No. 331540, Ref. 3448. Made in the 1970s. Very fine and rare, astronomic, self-winding, 18K white gold gentleman's wristwatch with perpetual calendar, moon phases and an 18K white gold Patek Philippe buckle. Accompanied by an Extract from the Archives.

Reviewed 2026-10-26 · Record 4499301305

Terms in this record

Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.