Since the introduction of the world’s first perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch, Patek Philippe is regarded as one of the best (and, serially, the first) to execute this complication. Patek Philippe serially produced perpetual calendar models (such as ref 1526 and 2497, or chronograph reference 1518 and 2499) were exclusively manual. Introduced in 1962, the ref. 3448 was the firm’s first self-winding perpetual calendar wristwatch. Aesthetically somewhat futuristic - with a case defined by pure lines and sharp edges, so much so that Italian collectors jokingly and lovingly dubbed it “Padellone”, “Large Frying Pan” - it enormously differed from its predecessors. Inside it, beats one of the most refined Patek Philippe creations: the perpetual calendar version of automatic movement 27-460AT, which is itself the final, most refined iteration of cal. 12-600 AT, considered one of the, if not outright THE, best automatic movement ever developed. This technical supremacy combined with the useful complication and the modern, understated but powerful aesthetics make the present watch one of the most wearable important vintage models of the brand. It is known in four main series (though other out of series variation such as the “upside down date ring” variation are known):

- The first series features small calendar ring, indexes closer to the center of the dial and engraved/enamelled minute divisions
- The second series introduces beady minute divisions
- The third series maintains the beady divisions but introduces the large numerals for the date rings and indexes closer to the outer edge of the dial
-The fourth series - exemplified by the present timepiece - features printed minuted divisions.

Ref Variations: 3448, 3448J, 3448-8, 3448-3, 3448-15, 3448G,