1971 Patek Philippe Calatrava Blue Sigma Dial White Gold 3445/6
Ref: 3445/6
Specification
Lugs : 19.5mm (Integrated)
Condition : Pre-Owned
Box & Papers : Extract from the Archives
Case Material : 18ct White Gold
Warranty : 12-Months NON-Waterproof Warranty
Points of Mention
This watch is sold as "Watch only" and therefore comes with no original Patek Philippe box but does come with its Patek Philippe Archive Extract. The watch comes paired with its full-length integrated 19.5mm 18ct White Gold textured bracelet and a signed folding jewellery clasp with 3 adjustments, the total length of the bracelet is 19cm. The watch is from Circa. 1971 though the watch wasn’t sold until September 1977 according to the Extract and is sold in worn, vintage condition, wear and age can be seen throughout the watch, but overall this is a fantastic and all-original example of this rare reference. The watch comes with our 12-Months NON-Waterproof Warranty.
For more photos see here - https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/126vRncI4Th2a32TyoVQcZeegUA3wJvIz?usp=drive_link
4K YouTube video, skip to 2:21 - https://youtu.be/URboA9ZgroY
The Watch
Here we have a rare classic 1971 Patek Philippe Calatrava Blue Sigma Dial White Gold 3445/6 with a beautifully sculpted 35mm 18ct White Gold case that gently flows over your wrist thanks to a smooth snakeskin patterned integrated bracelet. In 1961, Patek Philippe introduced this 3445/6, which was available in four exquisite metal variations: yellow gold, white gold, pink gold, and platinum. Each metal option had its own unique aesthetic, with yellow gold exuding warmth and luxury, white gold offering understated elegance, pink gold showcasing a romantic and timeless appeal, and platinum radiating a cool and sophisticated charm. The lug-to-lug length of 35mm and a case thickness of just 9.5mm ensures a comfortable fit. On the right side is a signed crown recessed into the case for protection. A textured bezel holds a domed crystal above the star of the show, a sunburst Calatrava blue Sigma dial, so named due to the sigma σ from the Greek alphabet at 6 o'clock. The Calatrava dial launched in 1932 was created by David Penney who took inspiration from the Bauhaus movement and its simple functional artistic form. An outer minute track has 18ct White Gold baton indexes marking the hours, at 3 o’clock a framed date window, and elegant 18ct White Gold stick hands complemented by sub-seconds at 6 o’clock that perfectly balance this sophisticated dial, and at 12 o’clock we have the Patek Philippe motif. On the reverse a screw-down case back with the Swiss Hallmarks stamped, inside an automatic Patek Philippe Cal. 27-460M, 30 jewels, beating at 19,800 beats per hour, introduced in 1961 and remained in production until 1986, this high-grade movement is just 5.35mm thick, complete with an 18ct Gold rotor engraved with the Patek Philippe Calatrava Cross and beautifully decorated. The watch comes paired with its full-length integrated 19.5mm 18ct White Gold textured bracelet and a signed folding jewellery clasp, and the watch comes with its Patek Philippe Archive Extract.
Personal Note
There is something undeniably precious about a vintage Patek Philippe, add onto that an all 18ct white gold case and integrated bracelet, plus a perfect blue dial, and you have something that truly stops you in your tracks. This reference 3445/6 is presented in unpolished condition and features its Extract from the Archives. I would not hesitate to book an appointment to see this incredibly important and special example in the metal and on the wrist for yourself.
The Brand
Patek, Czapek & Cie was founded by Antoine Norbert de Patek and François Czapek in 1839. The company name became Patek, Philippe & Cie –Fabricants à Genève in 1851. They created the first Swiss wristwatch, made for Countess Koscowicz of Hungary In 1868. They produced the first complicated ladies’ wristwatch with a five-minute repeater, No. 174 603 in 1916. In 1923 they sold the first split-second chronograph wristwatch, No. 124 824. In 1932 we saw the launch of the first Calatrava: Ref. 96. The business began with the regular production of perpetual calendar wristwatches in 1941. They won a record number of first prizes for precision in the Geneva Observatory competition in 1944. Later in 1962, a tourbillon movement achieved the still unbeaten world timekeeping precision record for a mechanical watch, at the Geneva Observatory. In 1976 we saw the launch of the first Nautilus sports watches Ref. 3700/1 in steel. To celebrate their anniversary they launched the Calibre 89 to mark 150 years of Patek Philippe. It has an incredible 33 complications, which is the most ever in a portable timepiece. They moved into a new production facility in Plan-les-Ouates, Geneva in 1996. Continuing their mastery of Horology they launched the most complicated Patek Philippe wristwatch with a double face: the Sky Moon Tourbillon, Ref. 5002 in 2001. The Patek Philippe Museum in Geneva opened in the same year. Renovation of the beautiful rue du Rhône salons in Geneva was completed in 2006. It celebrated its 175th anniversary in 2014.