Few And Far Between: Patek Philippe Ref. 3449
October 12, 2019
The ref. 3449 is uncommon enough that it is not especially well known, particularly in comparison to its closest equivalents, the refs. 3448 and 3450. Each of the three ref. 3449s made has been sold at auction in the last two decades (more than once for two examples), consistently achieving well over US$1m – it is a watch a small number of people will pay a large sum of money for.Su Jiaxian of SJX Watches
Produced in 1961 with only 3 examples ever, the exceptionally rare Ref. 3449 from Patek Philippe is perhaps best known for being one of the rarest perpetual calendar wristwatches from the manufacture. The remarkably low production numbers is further underlined by Patek Philippe’s earlier move towards serial production with increased volumes, and consequently, away from custom orders and piece unique’s.
In addition to their scarcity in numbers, the three examples of this reference (with each movement numbered serially as 799000, 799001 and 799002) exhibit slight variations in their case designs, essentially presenting us with three unique executions of the same reference.
Patek Philippe 3449 No. 799000
Patek Philippe 3449 No. 799001
Patek Philippe 3449 No. 799002
Patek Philippe Ref. 3449 799000
The first in the series of three, this particular reference is characterized by it’s handcrafted case (numbered 311’261) with triple-stepped bezel as well as angular lugs.
Initially purchased in 1981 from a Patek Philippe retailer for the equivalent of USD 9,000, this example of the Ref. 3449 appeared for auction with Antiquorum in 1998, fetching a handsome USD 1,102,500 when the hammer fell.
After being held in private ownership for more than a decade, movement number 799000 surfaced once again in 2011 at Christie’s Geneva auction of Important Watches, achieving a hammer price of CHF 1,427,000 (about USD 1,609,000) this time. It has since been in the possession of a distinguished collector.
…Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch in 1961 and its subsequent sale on 15 September 1965.Lot Essay by Christie’s
Patek Philippe 3449 No. 799000. Photo courtesy: Barneby’s
Patek Philippe 3449 No. 799000. Photo courtesy: Christie’s
Patek Philippe Ref. 3449 799001
Prominently displayed at the Patek Philippe Museum in Genève, this particular example features a case (numbered 311’262) with a double-stepped bezel flanked by angular lugs.
Surfacing in 1989 at The Art of Patek Philippe, Antiquorum’s themed auction celebrating Patek Philippe’s 150th anniversary, movement number 799001 was acquired by the museum for CHF 286,000, at a significant premium over the auction estimates of CHF 180,000 – 220,000.
…delivered on September 15, 1965, to the Henri Stern Watch Agency, New York.Patek Philippe Museum Catalog
Patek Philippe 3449 No. 799001. Photo courtesy: Antiquorum
Patek Philippe 3449 No. 799001. Patek Philippe Museum Catalog
Hotel des Bergues
Antiquorum’s The Art Of Patek Philippe
Antiquorum’s The Art Of Patek Philippe
Patek Philippe Ref. 3449 799002
Also known by its nickname Tre Scalini (Italian for Three Steps), its triple-stepped bezel, coupled with the straight lugs that extend beyond those of its counterparts, gives an increased presence on the wrist, arguably raising the desirability of this particular reference.
This third and last of the Ref. 3449 may very well be the most notable example. As documented superbly by SJX in his article and covered by numerous other watch publications, movement number 799002 (case number 311’262) is perhaps the closest version you can get to a contemporary wristwatch
Patek Philippe 3449 No. 799002. Photo courtesy: Christie’s
Patek Philippe 3449 No. 799002
Patek Philippe 3449 No. 799002 Caseback
Patek Philippe 3449 No. 799002 Movement
The provenance of this example reveals itself once the watch is flipped around, presenting the caseback with an interesting engraving. Apart from his name and birthdays, George Poston had appended a poetic phrase adopted from the French poet Rosemonde Gérard, which translates to “More than yesterday, less than tomorrow”. Given the immense horological significance of this timepiece, this expression of man’s perception of time is fittingly poignant.
Originally acquired from Linz Brothers in Dallas, the then thirty-year-old Poston had to pony up what was considered a hefty sum of USD 5,550 back in 1965 for the purchase. Poston’s foresight paid off duly when the watch was auctioned for CHF 1,659,750 at Christie’s Exceptional Patek Philippe Wristwatches in 2001.
Linz Brothers, Dallas
Revolution Watch has an amazing video sharing the story of how this particular example ended on the wrist of famed watch collector Auro Montanari (a.k.a John Goldberger).
I’m sure you could buy a very nice Ferrari for this kind of moneyWei Koh in The Rarest Patek Perpetual Calendar — the 3449