PATEK PHILIPPE. A RARE AND ELEGANT 18K GOLD AUTOMATIC PERPETUAL CALENDAR WRISTWATCH WITH MOON PHASES, 24-HOUR, AND LEAP YEAR INDICATION

Launched in 1985 and discontinued in 2007, the reference 3940 has always been a much-loved watch by collectors and is a significant reference in the modern history of Patek Philippe. The 3940’s reputation is further enhanced by the fact that the then head of the company, Philippe Stern, chose to wear the model as his everyday watch.

Consigned by its original owner, the present timepiece is offered in excellent overall condition. It is furthermore accompanied by the Certificate of Origin dated 1988, invoice dated 1988, sales receipt dated 1988, setting pin, leather folder, product literature and presentation box

According to our research, reference 3940 in yellow gold from the second series has been produced to approximately 1'680 pieces in yellow gold.

Reference 3940
The Reference 3940 and its sister reference (the Ref. 3970 perpetual calendar chronograph) were launched in the mid-1980s, at a time when few complicated wristwatches were available and the mechanical watch renaissance wasn’t entirely underway.

The watch was incredibly slim at 9 mm., thanks to the Cal. 240-Q movement with a 22k gold micro-rotor. The design of the dials, in line with many Patek Philippe references, has evolved over the 20 years of production resulting in three clearly defined series and some rare variations.