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Lot 2500 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 based 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.
In 1989, a third series of ref. 3970E was launched, fitted with a solid screw back as well as an additional sapphire crystal display screw back. Reference 3970E was discontinued in 2004 and replaced by reference 5970. While production of the reference 3970/3971 may have ended only thirteen years ago, these modern yet classic perpetual calendar chronographs have become a must-have for the discerning collector of complicated wristwatches.
We are honored to present 3 pieces of third series 3970E in platinum, 18k white gold and pink gold in the same sale.
(For an example for 18k white gold and pink gold of 3970E, please see lot 2501 and 2502 correspondingly in this sale)
THE PROPERTY OF AN IMPORTANT ITALIAN PRIVATE COLLECTOR
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.
In 1989, a third series of ref. 3970E was launched, fitted with a solid screw back as well as an additional sapphire crystal display screw back. Reference 3970E was discontinued in 2004 and replaced by reference 5970. While production of the reference 3970/3971 may have ended only thirteen years ago, these modern yet classic perpetual calendar chronographs have become a must-have for the discerning collector of complicated wristwatches.
We are honored to present 3 pieces of third series 3970E in platinum, 18k white gold and pink gold in the same sale.
(For an example for 18k white gold and pink gold of 3970E, please see lot 2501 and 2502 correspondingly in this sale)
THE PROPERTY OF AN IMPORTANT ITALIAN PRIVATE COLLECTOR
PATEK PHILIPPE. A VERY FINE AND RARE PLATINUM AND DIAMOND-SET PERPETUAL CALENDAR CHRONOGRAPH WRISTWATCH WITH MOON PHASES, 24 HOUR AND LEAP YEAR INDICATION
SINGED PATEK PHILIPPE, GENEVE, REF. 3970E, MOVEMENT NO. 876'331, CASE NO. 2'919'415, MANUFACTURED IN 1992
Closed28 May 2018
Price Realised
HKD 1,000,000