Patek Philippe Perpetual Calendar 3448 Ref. 3448J Cartier

The Patek Philippe Perpetual Calendar 3448 marked an important milestone: when introduced in 1962, it was the first self-winding watch by any brand to feature a perpetual calendar mechanism. It would remain in the collection until the early-mid eighties, when it first was accompanied by the 3450 with leap year indicator (though 3448's with such feature exist too) and later both were replaced by the 3940. A total of 586 are said to have been made, with most being cased in yellow gold. Other precious metals -rose, white and platinum- have also appeared on the marked and command a hefty premium over the already steep price of this collectors favorite. The present example, as sold by Antiquorum, is furthermore distinguished by its Cartier signed dial. It was made in 1968.