An exceptionally rare Patek Philippe dual-time watch is set to headline Christie’s upcoming Important Watches auction in New York this December, with an estimated value of between $800,000 and $1.6 million.
The timepiece, Reference 3452/1, is one of just seven examples believed to exist, according to Christie’s. Remarkably, the watch has never been publicly seen, making its appearance at auction a significant moment for collectors of vintage Patek Philippe watches.
The watch will be offered during Christie’s Luxury Week in New York in December, providing collectors with a rare opportunity to acquire a piece of horological history.
“This is one of the most important Patek Philippe watches Christie’s New York has offered in the past years,” said Remi Guillemin, the auction house’s global head of watches. He described the sale as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see and potentially own a timepiece whose existence was previously unknown to the collecting community.
The Ref. 3452/1 from 1961.Christie’s
A Revolutionary Dual-Time Design
The Reference 3452 was based on a prototype believed to have been created in 1954 by Swiss watchmaker Louis Cottier, renowned for his contributions to the world-time complication.
The watch features an ingenious dual-dial display that presents two time zones—home and away—side by side. Unlike conventional dual-time watches that may rely on separate movements, this Patek Philippe model uses a single automatic movement: a Caliber 27-460 modified by Cottier.
The mechanism allows the two time displays to operate together or be adjusted independently, making the watch a pioneering example of sophisticated travel-time functionality.
Patek Philippe is credited with being the first manufacturer to produce a twin-dial complication of this kind without relying on two separate movements.
One of Only Seven Watches Ever Made
According to research cited by Christie’s, two examples of the Reference 3452 were produced in 1960, another two in 1961, and the remaining three by 1963.
Each example reportedly features subtle differences in its dial, case material, or lugs, giving the individual watches distinctive characteristics.
This particular Reference 3452/1, manufactured in 1961, stands out for its integrated bracelet and combination of 18-karat white and yellow gold.
The two-tone gold bracelet, together with the gold detailing on the hour track and the “Patek Philippe” nameplate across the dial, makes this example especially distinctive. In Patek Philippe’s reference-number system, the “/1” designation indicates that the watch was originally fitted with a bracelet rather than a leather strap.
A close-up of the dial.Christie’s
Preserved in the Original Family for Generations
The watch was acquired by its original owner in 1961 and has remained within the same family for two generations. Christie’s describes its overall condition as superb, adding to its appeal among collectors of important vintage timepieces.
It is also the first example of the reference to appear on the market in two decades and the last of the seven known examples to be unveiled.
Christie’s considers the watch one of the most intriguing discoveries in vintage complicated Patek Philippe wristwatches of the 21st century. The auction house also suggests that it may be the most refined of the seven known Reference 3452 and 3452/1 examples associated with Louis Cottier’s design.
Global Exhibition Ahead of the December Auction
Before the sale, the watch will be displayed during Christie’s Luxury Week exhibitions in Geneva and Hong Kong before returning to New York.
The auction is scheduled for December 4, offering serious collectors an opportunity to compete for a rare timepiece that combines an innovative movement, an unusual dual-time display, precious-metal craftsmanship, and an exceptional ownership history.
With only seven examples believed to exist, the Reference 3452/1 is more than a luxury watch. It represents a distinctive chapter in the development of complicated wristwatches and a potentially landmark offering in the vintage watch market.
