Patek Philippe. A very fine and rare 18K gold perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch with moon phases, original certificate, setting pin and box

With Patek Philippe Certificate of Origin dated 29 September 1989, wooden and 18K gold setting pin, second strap, product literature, leather pouch, wooden presentation box and outer packaging. Furthermore delivered with the Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch with silvery opaline-white dial and yellow gold indexes in 1989 and its subsequent sale on 15 August 1989.

Consigned by a private collector and fresh to the market, this reference 3971E is preserved in very good overall condition, the rarity enhanced by the presence of the original certificate.

Reference 3971E
In 1986, Patek Philippe launched a new generation of the perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch, designated reference 3970, replacing the hugely successful reference 2499 in production in four different series from 1951 to 1985. The main difference in the movement was the arrival of the new Lemania base ébauche which replaced the Valjoux movement used for the previous 50 years.

Starting with movement number 875'000, the first series of reference 3970 was produced with a solid snap on back, comprising approximately 100 examples. The second series introduced a solid screw back, designated reference 3970E (E for étanche, French for waterproof). A small number of watches from both series were also available with a sapphire crystal back, designated reference 3971E, such as the present watch.

In 1989, a third series of ref. 3970 was launched, fitted with a solid screw back as well as an additional sapphire crystal display screw back.

While production of the reference 3970/3971 may have ended only a decade ago, these modern yet classic perpetual calendar chronographs have become a must-have for the discerning collector of complicated wristwatches.