PATEK PHILIPPE, REF. 3970P VERY RARE PLATINUM AND DIAMOND-SET MANUALLY-WOUND PERPETUAL CALENDAR CHRONOGRAPH WRISTWATCH WITH BLACK DIAL AND MOON PHASES

US$90,000-120,000

With Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming dates of manufacture and sale.

Patek Philippe introduced the reference 3970 in 1986 and it has it has assumed a status within the hierarchy of Patek Philippe's most classic and rarest perpetual calendar chronographs.
The model was available in yellow, white and pink gold and platinum. It was produced in four series with the following configuration:
- 1st series: snap-on full back, gold applied baton hour markers, feuille hands
- 2nd series: screw-down full back, gold applied baton hour markers, feuille hands
- 3rd series: screw-down full back and sapphire display back, gold applied lapidated hour markers, baton hands, such as this present lot. - 4th series same as the 3rd series but with new serial numbers and delivered with deployant clasps.
In 2004, reference 3970 was replaced by reference 5970.
The model is illustrated in Patek Philippe Wristwatches by Martin Huber & Alan Banbery, second edition, p. 305.