The top pick here is not a watch, it is a paper trail: a reference 3445 sold with an Extract from the Archives and matching movement and caseback numbers. Everything else, including a heavy gold case and a clean dial, comes second. Four criteria decide whether a 3445 is real, restored or outright fake: the movement, the case and its hallmarks, the dial and its signature, and the documents that tie those three together.

What a Patek Philippe 3445 Is Supposed to Be

The 3445 is a water-resistant automatic Calatrava with a date window, built by Patek Philippe from the early 1960s into the 1980s. It uses the calibre 27-460M, a full rotor automatic with date, inside a round case of roughly 35 mm. Most examples are yellow gold, white gold is less common, and pink gold or steel are rare. The caseback screws down, and most dials are silvered with applied gold indexes and a date aperture at three.

Criterion One: The Movement and Calibre

Ask for a sharp photograph of the movement before you discuss anything else. A genuine 27-460M has Geneva stripes, correct engraving on the bridges, and a rotor finish that matches published examples of the reference.

  • Confirm the calibre marking on the bridge matches the reference.
  • Look for stamped or engraved lettering with uneven depth, a sign of an aftermarket plate.
  • Compare the balance cock shape and rotor decoration against photographs of known examples.
  • Reject any movement number that falls outside the production window of the reference.

Criterion Two: Case, Hallmarks and Caseback

Most fakes and marriage watches fail here. A marriage watch pairs a genuine movement from a donor watch with a case made later, often in another country. The result runs and looks convincing at arm's length.

  • Lug shape and profile should match known examples, with crisp edges rather than soft, cast-looking surfaces.
  • Swiss 18k hallmarks and any import marks must be sharp and sit in the expected positions.
  • The reference and serial numbers on the caseback should be struck, not hand engraved.
  • Case and movement numbers should fall in the same general range.

Criterion Three: Dial and Signature

Redials are the most common problem on vintage Calatravas. A repainted dial can survive a photograph and look obvious under a loupe.

  • The signature font should match the era of the case, not a modern typeface.
  • Print should sit under the lacquer with no raised edges or fuzzy outlines.
  • Applied indexes should be gold, set at the correct angle, and spaced with consistent gaps around the date aperture.
  • Patina should be even. Bright printing next to aged hands often means one of the two was replaced.

Criterion Four: Provenance and Paperwork

Patek Philippe keeps records and issues an Extract from the Archives listing the original movement number, case material, dial description and sale date. A seller who avoids the topic, or who claims the document exists but never shows it, is telling you something. Auction catalogues are a useful cross-check because they print condition notes on dial originality and case wear.

Documented Example Versus Undocumented Example

Documented example

  • Pros: verifiable movement, case and dial details, stronger resale, fewer surprises at service.
  • Cons: higher asking price, archive requests take time, and not every genuine watch has a photo on file.

Undocumented example

  • Pros: sometimes a genuine watch at a lower price, worth investigating when the numbers look right.
  • Cons: no proof the dial, case and movement started life together, a high risk of a redial or marriage watch, and weak resale value.

Which Route Fits Which Buyer

If this is your first vintage Patek, buy a documented example from a dealer who will put the archive details in writing. If you already own vintage pieces and have a watchmaker who can inspect the movement on a bench, an undocumented example is workable, provided you view it in person and pay accordingly. If you simply want the dress watch look, a modern no-name dress watch is the honest option and carries none of the legal or resale problems that come with counterfeits. Selling or importing counterfeit watches is a criminal matter in many countries, and customs seizures are common.