Reference 3670 stands as one of the rarest, most elusive, and most sought-after modern Patek Philippe wristwatches, with a story as rich in mystery as it is in history. In 1996, as Patek Philippe prepared to relocate its workshops from the historic rue du Rhône to Plan-les-Ouates, an astonishing discovery was made. Hidden on the fifth floor was an old wooden chest containing 16 vintage chronograph movements, caliber 13-130, meticulously assembled and adjusted in 1955.

The caliber 13-130 had long been a hallmark of Patek Philippe's chronographs, gracing iconic models such as references 130 and 1463, to name a few. To commemorate this remarkable find, Patek Philippe made the bold decision to disassemble and reassemble these 16 movements, encasing them in stainless steel cushion cases reminiscent of 1920s chronographs. The discovery of these unused movements was nothing short of extraordinary, but housing them in stainless steel was an audacious and unprecedented choice for the brand. Apart from the split-seconds chronograph reference 5950 or the ultra-rare perpetual calendar split-seconds reference 5004A, Patek Philippe seldom used stainless steel for their high-end timepieces, reserving the material for charity events or unique pieces.

The creation of a limited series stainless steel chronograph with an original vintage movement was a daring move, igniting immediate excitement among collectors. Each watch was adorned with a grey dial, lending a modern and sporty edge to its design.

Launched in 2011, reference 3670 was an “application” watch, meaning only Patek Philippe’s most esteemed, loyal clients were given the opportunity to acquire one. With its striking aesthetics, extreme rarity of only 16 examples made, and immense collectability, this timepiece unquestionably ranks among the most significant in Patek Philippe’s modern legacy.