Freshly opened from its original Patek Philippe factory seal, the present reference 3970 with special dial (reference 3970 with dial code 046) is not only cased in platinum, but also features a beautiful inky black dial adorned with a Breguet numeral at 12 o'clock and additional tachymeter scale, which is confirmed by the Certificate of Origin. The third of its kind and the first freshly-unsealed example to ever appear at auction, this timepiece was specially made for the 2015 Patek Philippe Watch Art Grand Exhibition at the Saatchi gallery in London.

With over 400 exceptional timepieces on view, the 2015 Patek Philippe Watch Art Grand Exhibition was at the time the largest ever overseas Patek Philippe exhibition. To celebrate the momentous occasion, Patek Philippe for the first time ever publicly released a selection of previously discontinued pieces with special dials. Such watches were only granted to Patek Philippe's most trusted and exclusive clientele. Today, pieces from this momentous exhibition are considered trophy pieces due to their rarity and historical importance within the history of Patek Philippe.

Fresh to the auction market, the present watch was brand new and double sealed originally. It was only unsealed on January 17, 2023 for the purpose of shipping the timepiece. A video of the unsealing of the timepiece is available to view, and the timepiece is also accompanied by a signed letter from Phillips' in-house counsel attesting of this. As such, it is a study of originality, showing how a reference 3970 should look when it is brand new, from the curves on the lugs, to the fluting and all the hallmarks - all are original, as if the timepiece left the Patek Philippe yesterday.

It is furthermore accompanied by its original accessories including the Certificate of Origin, setting pin, additional numbered caseback and portfolio photograph.

Launched in 1986 and in production until approximately 2004, reference 3970 replaced reference 2499. Both models share certain features such as pump pushers and downturned fluted lugs. Reference 3970 replaced the Valjoux movement of its predecessors with a heavily modified Lemania 2310 ébauche called CH 27-70Q. Furthermore, two new indications were added to reference 3970: a leap year indication and a 24 hour hand.

Reference 3970 underwent three significant transformations. While the first series featured a snap-on caseback, the second series displayed baton markers, feuille hands and a screw back. It was produced concurrently with reference 3971 which had a snap-on sapphire back. Finally the third series merged references 3970 and 3971 and offered both sapphire and solid screw-down case backs. This example is offered with both its sapphire caseback and solid numbered platinum caseback.