With an established heritage of producing the finest perpetual calendar wristwatches, Patek Philippe was indeed the pioneer of the world’s very first serially produced self-winding perpetual calendar wristwatch via the ref. 3448 in 1962. Discontinued in 1985, Patek Philippe introduced another yet important self-winding perpetual calendar wristwatch, the ref. 3940 and 3941 the following year.

Differing from its previous reference, the ref. 3940 and 3941 featured Patek Philippe’s newly developed cal. 240Q with a micro rotor enabling a much slimmer Calatrava style case. Furthermore, early examples of the ref. 3940’s were fitted with solid casebacks and in conjunction the firm launched the ref. 3941 featuring for the first time a display caseback. Produced only until 1990, the ref. 3941 is indeed a rare timepiece with only approximately 35 examples reappeared in the market since its launch. Regarded as one of the most important timepieces by the firm from the 1980’s the ref. 3940 was the timepiece worn by former CEO of Patek Philippe, Mr. Philippe Stern.

The present example Patek Philippe ref. 3941 in yellow gold from 1989 is offered in attractive overall condition boasting an unpolished case with crisp hallmarks. Confirmed by an Extract from the Archives by Patek Philippe, the present example is certainly a rare treat for collectors seeking for a perpetual calendar wristwatch.