Unknown Patek Philippe Ref. 3452/1 Dual-Time Watch to Auction at Christie’s for Up to $1.6 Million
A rare Patek Philippe Ref. 3452/1 dual-timepiece, one of only seven in existence, is set to be auctioned at Christie’s Important Watches event during Luxury Week in New York on December 4, with a projected value between $800,000 and $1.6 million. Crafted in 1961, this watch boasts an integrated two-toned bracelet made of 18-karat white and yellow gold, along with a dual-dial that displays two time zones, all powered by a single modified Caliber 27-460 movement. It is inspired by a 1954 prototype from Louis Cottier, the creator of the world time mechanism, and Patek was the first to create a twin-dial complication without multiple movements. This timepiece, held within the same family since its original purchase in 1961, is in excellent condition. Christie’s highlights that this is the first instance of this reference being available in twenty years and the final one to be revealed. Remi Guillemin, Christie’s global head of Watches, described it as one of the most significant Patek Philippe offerings in recent times and a rare opportunity. Before the New York auction, the watch will be displayed during Luxury Week in Geneva and Hong Kong.
Key facts
- Patek Philippe Ref. 3452/1 from 1961 will be auctioned at Christie’s Important Watches during Luxury Week in New York on December 4.
- The watch is one of only seven Ref. 3452 and 3452/1 examples known, and has never been seen by the public.
- Estimate: $800,000–$1.6 million.
- It features a dual-dial display with two time zones powered by a single automatic Caliber 27-460 movement modified by Louis Cottier.
- The watch has an integrated bracelet in 18-karat white and yellow gold, with unique two-toned gold details on the dial.
- It is based on a 1954 prototype by Louis Cottier, inventor of the world time mechanism.
- The original owner acquired it in 1961, and it has remained in the same family for two generations.
- It is the first example of the reference to appear on the market in two decades and the last of the seven to be unveiled.
- Remi Guillemin, global head of Watches at Christie’s, described it as one of the most important Patek Philippe watches offered by Christie’s New York in recent years.
- The watch will be on view during Christie’s Luxury Week in Geneva and Hong Kong before returning to New York for the December 4 auction.
Entities
Artists
- Louis Cottier
- Remi Guillemin
- Rachel Cormack
Institutions
- Patek Philippe
- Christie’s
- Robb Report
- HuffPost
- Concrete Playground
Locations
- New York
- United States
- Geneva
- Switzerland
- Hong Kong
- China
- Australia