
Wristwatches · Wristwatch
Stainless steel Patek Philippe ref. 3466 Calatrava automatic wristwatch, 1964
- Maker / attribution
- Patek Philippe (maker)
- Date
- 1964
- Historical period
- Modern Mechanical Horology (1945 – 1969)
- Country of origin
- Switzerland
- Object type
- Wristwatch
- Materials / technique
- stainless steel
- Dimensions
- Case 33 mm
- Stock no.
- G3336
- Credit line
- Dealer listing, Somlo Antiques (G3336)
- Catalogue title (original)
- Stainless steel Patek Philippe ref. 3466 Calatrava automatic wristwatch. Made 1964 (English)
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Record summary
Catalogued by Somlo Antiques (dealer), London (stock number G3336), this is a wristwatch by Patek Philippe, made in Switzerland, dated 1964. The Atlas places it in the Modern Mechanical Horology period (1945 – 1969) of its Wristwatches collection. Materials and techniques recorded by the source: stainless steel. Recorded dimensions: Case 33 mm. The record is illustrated with 4 photographs.
Assembled from the source record's structured fields. Dates and attributions are given as the source states them; where a field is missing the Atlas leaves it blank rather than estimating.
Catalogue description
Dealer description — Somlo Antiques
Today, vintage Patek Philippe is a titan in the vintage luxury watch community. Their obsessive attention to detail combined with ground-breaking feats such as the first serially produced, perpetual calendar wristwatches as well as the first split-second chronograph wristwatch, have made Patek Philippe wristwatches and pocket watches some of the most sought after in the world. The Patek Philippe Calatrava was first introduced in the 1930s, gained popularity in the following decades, and eventually became a legendary timepiece in the 1960s. 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. Brand : Patek Philippe Made: 1964 Model: Calatrava Reference: 3466 Calibre : 27-460 Movement: Automatic Material : Stainless steel Features/complications : N/A Dial : Silvered dial with applied gold mirror polished beaded minute track and lapped hour markers stainless and baton shapped hands with subsidiary seconds at 6 o'clock Case Dimensions : 33mm Bracelet/Strap: Leather strap Accessories : Extract from the Archives SKU: 3336
Historical context
Modern Mechanical Horology (1945 – 1969)
Tool watches for divers, pilots and astronauts; electric watches anticipate the electronic age.
The classic era of the mechanical wristwatch: dive watches, chronographs for motor racing and space flight, GMT watches for jet travel, slim dress watches, automatic calendars, and the rise of Japanese manufacturers alongside Swiss, American, German and Soviet industries.
Read the period in the timelineMore wristwatches from this periodEarlier: Golden Age of Mechanical Watchmaking
Atlas type guide
Automatic (self-winding) watches
Self-winding watches use the wearer's motion to wind the mainspring. Abraham-Louis Perrelet and Breguet made 'perpétuelle' pocket watches with oscillating weights in the late eighteenth century, but the principle only became practical in the wristwatch. John Harwood patented a bumper automatic in 1923; Rolex's Perpetual rotor (1931) winding in one direction, and later bidirectional rotors (Eterna, Felsa Bidynator), established the modern form. Micro-rotors (Universal Genève, Buren) and peripheral rotors made automatic watches thinner.
What to look for
- A semicircular rotor turning 360° over the movement, or a 'bumper' weight that rebounds between springs.
- 'Automatic', 'Perpetual' or 'Self-winding' on the dial.
- A sealed screw-back case, since automatic watches are wound less often by the crown.
Dating clues
- Bumper automatics: 1923–c. 1955.
- Full rotors: from 1931 (Rolex); widespread after c. 1950.
- Micro-rotors: from 1954–1958.
General guidance written by the Atlas editors about this kind of object. It is not a statement about this particular piece; for that, rely on the source record above and on physical examination.
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