18ct rose gold Patek Philippe, reference 3445 Calatrava automatic wristwatch. Made 1962

Information

• Brand: Patek Philippe
• Made: 1962
• Model: Calatrava
• Reference: 3445
• Calibre: 27-460M
• Movement: Automatic
• Material: 18ct rose gold
• Features/complications: Automatic movement
• Dial: Silvered dial with printed outer minute track featuring applied mirror polished rose gold hour indices and pencil hands with, date aperture at 3 o'clock and subsidiary seconds at 6 o'clock 
• Case dimensions: 35mm
• Bracelet/strap: Leather strap
• Accessories: Extract from the Archives
• SKU: 3175

Essay

Produced between the years of 1961 and 1981, the reference 3445 was Patek Philippe’s first automatic wristwatch with a date function made in series, also featuring a water resistant style screw down case back. The calibre 27-460M (“M” for Monodate) was an evolution of Patek Philippe’s first automatic calibre, the 12-600AT, which was fitted to the legendary reference 2526.

The calibre 27-460M had received several upgrades, including a Gyromax balance wheel, a ball bearing, and some additional jewels. Over the ensuing years, three series were made with the first fitted with an acrylic crystal, similar to the present watch, the 2nd series made during the late 1970s featuring a higher bezel to accommodate a sapphire crystal, and the 3rd series featuring a sapphire display back. The model was also made with integrated bracelets, and offered with dials in silver, champagne, blue, and later with grey dial with white Roman numerals.