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Lot 2058 PATEK PHILIPPE PERPETUAL CALENDAR CHRONOGRAPH REF. 3970E
PATEK PHILIPPE. A RARE AND ATTRACTIVE 18K GOLD PERPETUAL CALENDAR CHRONOGRAPH WRISTWATCH WITH MOON PHASES, 24 HOUR INDICATION, LEAP YEAR INDICATION, CERTIFICATE OF ORIGIN AND BOX
SIGNED PATEK PHILIPPE, GENEVE, REF. 3970E, SECOND SERIES, MOVEMENT NO. 875'297, CASE NO. 2'851'177, CIRCA 1990
Closed6 November 2022
Price Realised
CHF 138,600
More Information
Specialist note
This endangered species strap is shown for display purposes only and is not for sale. The watch will be supplied with a calf leather strap.
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 such as the present timepiece introduced a solid screw back, designated reference 3970E. It is believed that less than 400 pieces in yellow gold, from which only 80 came back to the market.
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. Reference 3970 was discontinued in 2004 and replaced by reference 5970.
While production of the reference 3970/3971 may have ended only 16 years ago, these modern yet classic perpetual calendar chronographs have become a must-have for the discerning collector of complicated wristwatches.
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 such as the present timepiece introduced a solid screw back, designated reference 3970E. It is believed that less than 400 pieces in yellow gold, from which only 80 came back to the market.
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. Reference 3970 was discontinued in 2004 and replaced by reference 5970.
While production of the reference 3970/3971 may have ended only 16 years ago, these modern yet classic perpetual calendar chronographs have become a must-have for the discerning collector of complicated wristwatches.