A Patek Philippe Dual Time Ref. 3452/1, One of Seven, Heads to Christie's New York
Kept by the first owner's family for 65 years and never offered publicly, the white and yellow gold watch with Louis Cottier's twin-dial system is the first of the reference on the market in two decades.
Christie's will offer a 1961 Patek Philippe ref. 3452/1 dual time watch in its Important Watches sale in New York on 4 December 2026, with an estimate of $800,000 to $1.6 million. It is one of seven examples of the reference, has stayed with the first owner's family since 1961, and has never been offered publicly, according to Christie's as reported by Robb Report and Maxim.
The watch
The ref. 3452/1 has two dials in one case, each showing its own time, so the wearer can follow two time zones at a glance. This example, made in 1961, combines 18 karat white and yellow gold, with a two-tone gold bracelet integrated into the case. Robb Report says both dials are driven by a single automatic movement, a calibre 27-460 modified by Louis Cottier, so the two times can be set together or separately.
Christie's says it is the first example of the reference to come to market in two decades and the last of the seven to be revealed. Robb Report, citing research on the reference, reports that two were made in 1960, two in 1961 and three by 1963, and that each differs slightly in dial, case metal or lugs. Rémi Guillemin, Christie's global head of watches, called it one of the most important Patek Philippe watches Christie's New York has offered in recent years.
Louis Cottier and travelling time
Louis Cottier, the Geneva watchmaker who died in 1966, is best known for the world time mechanism that Patek Philippe used from the 1930s, which shows the hour in cities around the globe on a rotating ring. His dual time designs solved a simpler problem for travellers: home time and local time, side by side. Vintage Patek watches with Cottier complications are among the most studied references in the collecting world, and our Patek Philippe guide covers the main families.
The sale
The watch leads Christie's Important Watches sale in New York on 4 December 2026, during the house's December Luxury Week. The figure quoted is a pre-sale estimate, not a result. Earlier this month we also covered Sotheby's New York collection of watches kept by their first owners, another sale built on the same appeal of fresh, single-owner pieces.
Why originality and provenance matter
For vintage Patek Philippe, the factors that move value are rarity of the reference, originality of dial, hands, case and bracelet, condition of the case without heavy polishing, and a clear history. A watch that has stayed with one family since new, and has never been offered before, can be checked against its Patek Philippe archive records with no gaps in its story. If you own a vintage Patek, read how we approach selling a Patek Philippe watch or browse our Patek Philippe watches. Every watch is different: send us a few photos and we will tell you what yours is worth, free and with no obligation.
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- Robb Report: An ultra-rare Patek Philippe dual-time watch could fetch up to $1.6 million at auction (22 Oct 2026)
- Maxim: This ultra-rare Patek Philippe dual time watch could fetch $1.6 million at auction (22 Oct 2026)
- Christie's auction calendar
Facts and estimate as published by Christie's and reported by Robb Report and Maxim. Mozeris Fine Antiques is not connected with Christie's or Patek Philippe. No auction-house images are used.
