Vintage Patek Amagnetic 3417/3418/3419 Opinions wanted

[MILGAUSS88]

All 3 are steel watches made at roughly the same time, using the same movement and I am astonished that the 3417 sells for 5 to 6 times more than the 3418 or 3419 despite having 5 times as many of the 3417s produced.

I could understand some premium for design but $15k versus $90k?

What is your opinion?

[MILGAUSS88]

For those not familiar the 3418 and 3419 are "convertible" watches that can have lugs or a bracelet attached.

[myk7000]

I do think the dial design does look slightly more appealing than the 3418 or 3419, but honestly much of it comes down to the script (Amagnetic) and the press coverage and resulting awareness that the watch has compared to its siblings.

[MILGAUSS88]

Originally Posted by myk7000

I do think the dial design does look slightly more appealing than the 3418 or 3419, but honestly much of it comes down to the script (Amagnetic) and the press coverage and resulting awareness that the watch has compared to its siblings.

I agree the 3417 looks slightly more appealing. I just can't wrap my head around the 500% premium for it, when the production was 500 for it and only 100 for the 3418.

Makes me think the 3418 is undervalued. (Or the 3417 is overvalued.)

[MILGAUSS88]

125 views and one response?

[77T]

Originally Posted by MILGAUSS88

125 views and one response?

I think the esoteric knowledge needed to make an intelligent comment is uncommon.

So patience needed to have a deeply informed discussion.

I guess these are rarely changing hands - if the mid '50's vibe catches on then you'll see more of them around.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[pk552502]

I see your point but I don't have an answer. It must be due to the Amagnetic lore. I saw a 3417 on the menta watches website a few weeks ago and I thought the price looked crazy at $68K. I wasn't even familiar with the 3418 and 3419 at that time.

[Vasco]

"When Cameron was in Egypt land...", I read your post but I don't have the answer either, it's a tough question. If the price difference is confirmed on a large scale (and not on a very specific piece, even then...), it could be a very direct and easy answer for someone who delved into this Amagnetic topic. Sorry!

[ts3]

When I was looking into the 3417 many years ago the 3466 and 3483 caught my attention as more affordable steel Calatravas from the period. The 3418 and 3419 not so much. Not nearly as attractive I think. The 3417 came with a number of different dials. Some with the Amagnetic script as shown above and some w/o. The latter are worth less but I like them for added stealth factor.

If you google mstanga and 3417 you'll find lots of info on watchprosite etc. Not sure if easily accessible today but mstanga put together a guide.

https://www.watchprosite.com/patek-p...14033.6282678/

[subtona]

Tha amagnetic script and the oversized subseconds of the 3417 make this watch a true work of art in my opinion. I have long admired it and personally refer to it as the Mona Lisa.

Simply beautiful

The length of the minute marks also makes a difference.

Without the above, it is just a watch.


Ps I have heard of the Mstanga article but have never been able to find it available. Would love to read it.

[MILGAUSS88]

I am trying to figure out the market for the 3418, more than anything.

I think I buy watches differently than most people here. I go out shopping every week, if I find watches at a reasonable price I buy them. Most I sell, some I keep. This is a Patek, so it's a keeper.

As a result, I do not decide what watch I like then go out and find it. Instead, I find a watch, buy it, then decide if I like it enough to keep it. As you can imagine, at times the money disappears pretty quickly, so I do have limitations. I have always bought vintage watches, but lately I have started to buy some modern watches, and just trying to decide where I want to allocate my funds.

I have an opportunity to buy a 3418, at a reasonable price. Not so cheap that it is a no brainer though. Asking prices are $12k to $15k, but auction results are $6.5k to $9k.

Just trying to figure out why this watch is a dog, in comparison to all of its peers. Compared to the 3418, dealers are asking double for the 3466,3483 and the unmarked (Amagnetic) 3417.

[ts3]

In my eyes the 3418 lacks the tool watch vibe of 3417 (and 3466/3483) and looks less masculine in comparison.

On top the 3418 looks as if it wears smaller than its 34mm size whereas 3417 et al look like they wear large for their 35mm.

Apart from the small actual size difference I can see a number of factors at play. The 3418 bezel is wider which reduces the dial size and makes 3418 look smaller yet in comparison. Then the markers stop much further from the edge of the dial which makes 3418 look smaller yet again. And finally the 3418 has those dainty convertible lugs instead of the beefy lugs of the others.

I guess what I am trying to say is that I don't have a hard time rationalising why demand and pricing for 3418 are what they are... LOL

[MILGAUSS88]

Originally Posted by ts3

In my eyes the 3418 lacks the tool watch vibe of 3417 (and 3466/3483) and looks less masculine in comparison.

On top the 3418 looks as if it wears smaller than its 34mm size whereas 3417 et al look like they wear large for their 35mm.

Apart from the small actual size difference I can see a number of factors at play. The 3418 bezel is wider which reduces the dial size and makes 3418 look smaller yet in comparison. Then the markers stop much further from the edge of the dial which makes 3418 look smaller yet again. And finally the 3418 has those dainty convertible lugs instead of the beefy lugs of the others.

I guess what I am trying to say is that I don't have a hard time rationalising why demand and pricing for 3418 are what they are... LOL

Appreciate your opinion.

[JMac6]

Originally Posted by MILGAUSS88

All 3 are steel watches made at roughly the same time, using the same movement and I am astonished that the 3417 sells for 5 to 6 times more than the 3418 or 3419 despite having 5 times as many of the 3417s produced.

I could understand some premium for design but $15k versus $90k?

What is your opinion?

I know that this opinion is not rooted in logic, but yes, there is a significant premium for design. The lovely, script "Amagnetic" is unique among Patek references. That, coupled with the arabic 12 and long indices, makes for a spectacular dial. It has a wonderful art deco feel. Also, it is the first iteration of an Amagnetic watch, which makes it more desirable to some. It is the original Patek tool watch.

Also, in fairness, $90,000 is really on the high end. This one was $82,000 and it came with a great bracelet.



In my experience, people pay for the best and if you are OK with not having the best, you can get a pretty good discount. The question is - are you OK with not having the best iteration?

[subtona]

Originally Posted by JMac6

I know that this opinion is not rooted in logic, but yes, there is a significant premium for design. The lovely, script "Amagnetic" is unique among Patek references. That, coupled with the arabic 12 and long indices, makes for a spectacular dial. It has a wonderful art deco feel. Also, it is the first iteration of an Amagnetic watch, which makes it more desirable to some. It is the original Patek tool watch.

Also, in fairness, $90,000 is really on the high end. This one was $82,000 and it came with a great bracelet.



In my experience, people pay for the best and if you are OK with not having the best, you can get a pretty good discount. The question is - are you OK with not having the best iteration?

That is so nice!

Would you confirm the size of the watch?
Is it 35 or 36mm? Is there a variation of size with year of production?