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Lot Essay
With Patek Philippe extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch with platinum bracelet in 1960 and its subsequent sale on 3 September 1960. The Extract also states that the 96 diamonds of approximate 9 ct on the bracelet were added during a servicing in the firm's workshops in August 1966. Furthermore delivered with Patek Philippe original insurance valuation issued in 1983, stating that this watch in platinum with diamonds, special bracelet in platinum with diamonds, was sold to Kuwait in 1960, approximate insurance value CHF40,000.
The present watch is a spectacular variant of reference 3441, one of Patek Philippe's most exclusive models ever made. Launched in 1959, it was only available in platinum with screw back cases, the bezels set with 40 baguette-cut diamonds of highest quality. The very first series was fitted with Patek Philippe's first automatic calibre 12-600, the second series, such as the present watch, with the successor calibre 27-460, one of the firm's finest self-winding movements. Reference 3441 was made in an exceedingly small series, one piece at a time, and presumably upon special request only as the only six examples known to date, including four from public auction and two from archival images, are all fitted with different dial styles and either with leather strap or platinum brick link bracelets.
This reference 3441 however is a hitherto unknown variant, featuring style elements clearly indicating that it must have been made upon special request from one of Patek Philippe's distinguished clients in Kuwait, possibly a member of The Royal family: the turquoise-blue enamel dial with diamond-set hour markers and the integral brick-link bracelet bordered with 96 graduated round-cut diamonds, both never seen in any other examples of this model.
The heavy platinum bracelet made by the renowned bracelet maker Gay Frères in Geneva is stamped 3.61, leading to the conclusion that it was added together with the 96 diamonds by special request of its first owner wishing to further enhance the spectacular look of this extraordinary timepiece. This upgrade took place during a servicing of the watch in Patek Philippe's workshops in August 1966, as confirmed by the Extract from the Archives.
The combination of a sumptuous platinum case and bracelet and the highly attractive turquoise-blue enamel dial, all set with diamonds of highest quality, the excellent overall condition and provenance render this epitome of elegance and luxury a rare find for the collector of spectacular timepieces.
Reference 3441 is illustrated in Patek Philippe Wristwatches by Martin Huber & Alan Banbery, second edition, p. 217, pl. 348 and in Patek Philippe in America Reference Guide by John Reardon, Vol. 1, p. 97.
The present watch is a spectacular variant of reference 3441, one of Patek Philippe's most exclusive models ever made. Launched in 1959, it was only available in platinum with screw back cases, the bezels set with 40 baguette-cut diamonds of highest quality. The very first series was fitted with Patek Philippe's first automatic calibre 12-600, the second series, such as the present watch, with the successor calibre 27-460, one of the firm's finest self-winding movements. Reference 3441 was made in an exceedingly small series, one piece at a time, and presumably upon special request only as the only six examples known to date, including four from public auction and two from archival images, are all fitted with different dial styles and either with leather strap or platinum brick link bracelets.
This reference 3441 however is a hitherto unknown variant, featuring style elements clearly indicating that it must have been made upon special request from one of Patek Philippe's distinguished clients in Kuwait, possibly a member of The Royal family: the turquoise-blue enamel dial with diamond-set hour markers and the integral brick-link bracelet bordered with 96 graduated round-cut diamonds, both never seen in any other examples of this model.
The heavy platinum bracelet made by the renowned bracelet maker Gay Frères in Geneva is stamped 3.61, leading to the conclusion that it was added together with the 96 diamonds by special request of its first owner wishing to further enhance the spectacular look of this extraordinary timepiece. This upgrade took place during a servicing of the watch in Patek Philippe's workshops in August 1966, as confirmed by the Extract from the Archives.
The combination of a sumptuous platinum case and bracelet and the highly attractive turquoise-blue enamel dial, all set with diamonds of highest quality, the excellent overall condition and provenance render this epitome of elegance and luxury a rare find for the collector of spectacular timepieces.
Reference 3441 is illustrated in Patek Philippe Wristwatches by Martin Huber & Alan Banbery, second edition, p. 217, pl. 348 and in Patek Philippe in America Reference Guide by John Reardon, Vol. 1, p. 97.