Commemorative and special limited edition wristwatches celebrating a brand’s milestone are today common occurrences, however over 30 years ago when Patek Philippe issued a collection of timepieces for their 150th anniversary it was a novel concept. From this new collection came two important complicated watches, the references 3979 and 3974, their minute repeating and minute repeating perpetual calendar watches respectively, each with a Patek Philippe first, an automatic minute repeating movement. The reference 3979 was sold with an enamel dial reminiscent of their traditional past and pocket watches. Produced from 1989 until 2002, approximately 100 examples were made, with the majority in yellow gold, approximately a dozen in pink and white gold together, and another approximately dozen in platinum.

Modelled after the reference 2524/1 from the mid-20th century, the Ateliers Réunis case measures 33mm in diameter, and while small by today’s standards, it is a design that is classic, understated and perfectly suited for a watch as important as a Patek Philippe minute repeater. The brand has produced repeating watches throughout their prestigious history, from repeating pocket watches of the 19th century when the only means to tell time at night in a darkened room was to hear the chime, to their first repeating wristwatch a cushion-shaped watch with a caliber 10’’’ movement from 1924. Throughout the 20th century Patek Philippe released new more technically advanced repeating models, however it was not until their 1989 release that the minute repeating wristwatch came in to its own. Today, there is a long line of exemplary timepieces from the last three decades with references like the 3939 and 5013 issued in 1992, to the 5016 launched the following year, and the present day with the reference 5316. All of these complicated timepieces demonstrate the rich history and high quality workmanship from the brand, and make these watches some of the most collectable amongst connoisseurs of fine horology.

The present example is one of five known to the market and is in excellent overall condition and accompanied by its original certificate of origin and additional solid caseback. With a loud and clear tone, it is a testament to Patek Philippe’s history and tradition, and a watch that makes a wonderful addition to any collection.