The reference 3448 has always been one of my favorite vintage references. There is something so refreshing about the razor sharps lugs (when the case hasn't been polished) and the simple dial layout with. So when I heard about a very special 3448 coming up at Sotheby's, I had to go see it in person. What you are about to see is something you have likely never encountered before ?a Patek Philippe reference 3448 in white gold, with a later yellow-gold reference 3450 case as a back up. Say hello to a convertible Patek Philippe.
This reference 3448 white gold is accompanied by an entirely different case, dial, hand-set, and crown ?all in yellow gold.
That's right, you read that correctly. This watch, coming up for auction at Sotheby's in New York tomorrow, was born a white-gold 3448 in 1966 and was purchased by the original owner in 1967. Then later in 1986, the owner decided that he would really like a yellow gold version, so he wrote to Patek Philippe and asked if they could make him a yellow-gold case, matching dial, and hands so that he could switch the movement in and out of when he pleased... and Patek agreed.
The only difference is that Patek Philippe provided him with a yellow-gold Reference 3450 case. The 3450 was launched in 1981 and was the next evolution of the 3448. Patek Philippe also supplied a 3448 dial with yellow-gold indexes, accompanying hands and crown. The most incredible part about this? All of it has been meticulously documented. The original 3448 comes with the original certificate and ?the additional case has been confirmed in the extract from the Archives recently obtained this year. Sotheby's even has several letters between the client and Patek to confirm all of this.
Two replica watches in one!
Patek Philippe rarely does private commissions, so the fact that this even happened is just crazy. Add to it the watch remains in good condition with full documentation of such an uncommon happening makes this watch crazy.
This lot is estimated for $300,000 to $500,000. Generally, white-gold reference 3448s sell anywhere from $250,000 to $450,000, with yellow-gold ones selling anywhere from $80,000 to $150,000. Another specialty 3448 in white gold sold in Geneva last year for CHF 311,000 so it will be interesting to see how this two-for fares tomorrow afternoon.
View the full lots details here and be sure to bid on it tomorrow at Sotheby's New York.
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