Patek Philippe - The Geneva Watch Auction: XVII Geneva Saturday, May 13, 2023 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Patek Philippe
    Year: 1989
    Reference No: 3971
    Movement No: 875'489
    Case No: 2'870'018
    Material: 18K pink gold
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 27-70 Q, 24 jewels, stamped with the Geneva seal
    Bracelet/Strap: Leather
    Clasp/Buckle: 18K pink gold Patek Philippe deployant clasp
    Dimensions: 36mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and deployant clasp signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by Patek Philippe Certificate of Origin confirming production in 1989 and subsequent sale on January 23rd, 1990, product literature, leather wallet, setting pin, presentation box, and outer box.

  • Catalogue Essay

    Originally introduced in 1986, Patek Philippe's reference 3971 was conceived alongside its sibling reference 3970. Remaining in production for about 4 years, it was later absorbed into the general 3970 line, which would remain within Patek Philippe’s catalogue until its discontinuation in 2004. Aesthetically, the two references shared many similarities like feuille hands, stick indexes, and differently coloured sub-dials, the only and major difference between the two being a solid caseback present on the reference 3970 opposed to a sapphire caseback for the reference 3971.

    According to research, less than 300 examples where ever produced. The first series produced from 1986 until 1988 were still offered with a snap-on back. The second series as seen on the present watch began production from 1987 until 1990, known as the ref. 3971E (E for "étanche" or "water-resistant") and was equipped with a screw-down case back with only 170 pieces made according to research.

    An additional curious aspect of the reference 3971 is the placement of choice for the hallmarks. Present on the outer sides of the lugs, this unusual placement was later abandoned mid-production probably because the location is very sensitive to rubbing, making those few examples, like the present timepiece, even more desirable.

    According to our most recent research, the present example is the eight pink gold reference 3971 to be identified with a peculiar difference that makes it even further desirable. Of the eight examples known, the present timepiece is so far the only one known with the numbers in the minute track printed as dots in place of the more common and found arrows.

    Interestingly the present watch was the property of Jean Joseph Jacober (as indicated on the Certificate), ex Marketing Manager and COO of Patek Philippe who then joined Breguet and oversaw the sale of the latter to Swatch group in 1999.

  • Artist Biography

    Patek Philippe

    Swiss • 1839

    Since its founding in 1839, this famous Geneva-based firm has been surprising its clientele with superbly crafted timepieces fitted with watchmaking's most prestigious complications. Traditional and conservative designs are found across Patek Philippe's watches made throughout their history — the utmost in understated elegance.

    Well-known for the Graves Supercomplication — a highly complicated pocket watch that was the world’s most complicated watch for 50 years — this family-owned brand has earned a reputation of excellence around the world. Patek's complicated vintage watches hold the highest number of world records for results achieved at auction compared with any other brand. For collectors, key models include the reference 1518, the world's first serially produced perpetual calendar chronograph, and its successor, the reference 2499. Other famous models include perpetual calendars such as the ref. 1526, ref. 3448 and 3450, chronographs such as the reference 130, 530 and 1463, as well as reference 1436 and 1563 split seconds chronographs. Patek is also well-known for their classically styled, time-only "Calatrava" dress watches, and the "Nautilus," an iconic luxury sports watch first introduced in 1976 as the reference 3700 that is still in production today.

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Ref. 3971
An elegant, charming and very rare pink gold perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch with moon phases, 24-hour and leap year indicators, certificate of origin and presentation box, one of 8 known

1989
36mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement and deployant clasp signed

Estimate
CHF100,000 - 200,000 
€104,000-208,000
$114,000-228,000

Sold for CHF203,200

Contact Specialist

Alexandre Ghotbi
Head of Watches, Continental Europe and the Middle East

+41 79 637 17 24
AGhotbi@phillips.com

Tiffany To
Head of Sale, Geneva

+41 79 460 55 88
TiffanyTo@phillips.com

The Geneva Watch Auction: XVII

Geneva Auction 13 - 14 May 2023