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Reference 3448 'Senza Luna'

Sotheby's is delighted to present the Patek Philippe ‘Senza Luna’, which translates as 'without moon', in exceptionally well preserved white gold case. This watch is considered the very last Patek Philippe 3448 ever made by movement number and it was sold in 1982. The next consecutively numbered watch was sold at auction in 2014 with the 3450 reference number.The Senza Luna has been the topic of much discussion for almost 2 decades with collects ors and scholars alike hypothesizing on the originality and customization of these watches. The first example, seen at auction in the early 2000s, caused quite a stir and at the t.mes made a very big price. Of the Senza Luna, there are 3 known in yellow gold, 3 known in white gold and the 7th, the famous Alan Banbery example, sold at auction last season for close to 4 million USD.

Of the examples that have appeared at auction, some of these pieces have been issued extracts and some have not. Almost all of the watches in question were made in the 70s and were later fitted with a Senza Luna dial. The market knows that Patek Philippe have somet.mes s enhanced an existing watch for important collects ors, such as the example with the gold 1579 chronographs, originally cased in precious metal and recased in steel in the 1990s. It is highly possible that collects ors with 3448s were given an upgrade of a Senza Luna dial as a gesture of gratitude for loyal patronage.

The present watch, however, is an entirely different story as it represents the very last 3448 ever made. Further still, this present watch is accompanied by the Extract from the Archives confirming the dial without moon phases, where many of the other examples known did not. The market is aware that during the life of an important reference, when it comes close to being discontinued, Patek Philippe would celebrate this event with a special dial. For example, the 5004, 3970 and 5970 have all been seen in their last years of production with highly collects ible and unique special dials.

The crown

The crown and the case.
The dial

Front

Back
The extract confirms the dial is produced without moon phases.
The case

The case is unpolished and the watch is in stunning condition.

First seen at auction in 2004, the example for sale here made an enormous 680,000 Swiss Francs at the t.mes of sale. The watch then appeared at auction in 2017 and made close to 1,000,000 Swiss Francs. The controversy surrounding these watches is partly due to a lack of information. Today with technology, the market is much more well informed, and it is highly possible that Patek Philippe mounted this old pre-1970s dial without moon phases to celebrate the last of the 3448 reference. Whatever the case maybe, this watch is absolutely stunning in his appearance, in terms of its case condition, dial condition and its overall very clean and highly unusual appeal that in years to come, and as knowledge increases on the subject, this example has immense potential to appreciate further.

The reference 3448 was Patek Philippe's first automatic perpetual calendar and was launched in 1962. The reference was in production for 2 decades and was powered by the caliber 27-460. The cases were made by Antoine Gerlach and according to Patek Philippe literature, 586 were made and an average of 30 watches a year.

The reference was made in all four metals and 170 were identified in yellow gold and 53 identified in white gold, 2 examples in platinum and 1 in pink gold. Throughout the generation of 3448, the dials changed, however the case always remain the same.

The present example with unpolished case and hard enamel dial featuring pearl minute dividers is iconic due to the covering of the moon phases, giving the reference an entirely unique look. Of the Senza Luna known, there are 4 in yellow gold including the Alan Banbery example and 3 in white gold, however the present example is the only example in white gold not fitted with a white gold bracelet.