Throwback Thursday: Patek Philippe Reference 3448 “Senza Luna”

To watch connoisseurs, the Patek Philippe reference 3448 needs no introduction. When launched in 1962, it became the world’s first serially produced perpetual calendar powered by an automatic movement. It immediately also became one of the most beautiful, as even today, few other perpetual calendars can match the pure style of reference 3448. One of its most prominent features is the moon phase display, which is located at six o’clock, and surrounded by the dates, indicated by a hand. But not all reference 3448 have this feature, as some are “Senza Luna.”

For decades was the reference 3448 “Senza Luna” surrounded by mystery. Some thought that a third party modified these watches once they left the manufacture of Patek Philippe. Instead, they were custom-orders placed by some of the brand’s most loyal customers. A total of seven reference 3448 “Senza Luna,” are known to exist. Of these seven, four are crafted in yellow gold, and the remaining three in white gold. Of those three, the one features in this article is the only one that was delivered on a strap instead of a white gold bracelet. The combination of the precious white metal and the clean dial give the reference 3448 a unique appearance. It becomes very clean and understated. Where a regular reference 3448 has already aged with grace, it seems the “Senza Luna” does this perhaps even better as the lack of moon phase gives it a slightly more contemporary edge.

This particular reference 3448 “Senza Luna,” was made by Patek Philippe in 1981 and was sold by Christie’s at the end of 2017 for $978,480. In today’s market, the reference 3448 “Senza Luna” probably would obtain an even higher price. Given the fact that this watch is an extremely rare version of one of Patek Philippe’s most coveted vintage references, makes it too hard to resist for many collectors of the brand. All the more so, as you never know when one will be auctioned again, and if this happens in your lifetime.