Patek Philippe - The Geneva Watch Auction: XIX featuring the Guido Mondani Collection Geneva Saturday, May 11, 2024 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Patek Philippe
    Year: 2016
    Reference No: 3940G-029
    Movement No: 3'677'780
    Case No: 4'369'802
    Material: 18K white gold
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 240, 27 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Leather
    Clasp/Buckle: 18K white gold Patek Philippe deployant clasp
    Dimensions: 36mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and clasp signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by Patek Philippe Certificate of Origin dated March 24th, 2016, leather folio, product literature, leather self-winding presentation box with relative charger and batteries, additional solid back, 18K white gold setting pin, fitted presentation box and outer packaging.

  • Catalogue Essay

    The Patek Philippe reference 3940 stands out as one of Patek Philippe's most iconic models ever created. Introduced in 1985 under the guidance of Philippe Stern, it represented a notable departure in design for the brand's classical perpetual calendar models. During its production period, it ranked among Patek Philippe's longest-running references, with production halting around 2007.

    The sleek, stepped and finely designed 36mm diameter Calatrava case infuses the watch with a distinct contemporary elegance, while the calendar functions on the dial are communicated through subdials rather than apertures. Fuelled by the groundbreaking ultra-thin caliber 240, which introduced Patek Philippe's inaugural use of a micro-rotor, it facilitated the creation of an elegant and remarkably slim case that hugged the wrist snugly.

    The present reference 3940 in 18k white gold however, sits in a league of its own. The 2015 Patek Philippe Watch Art Grand Exhibition held the distinction of being the largest overseas exhibition ever hosted by Patek Philippe at that time. To commemorate the brand’s 175th anniversary and this significant event, Patek Philippe unveiled, for the first time publicly, a collection of previously discontinued models adorned with special dials. These exclusive watches were exclusively offered to Patek Philippe's most esteemed and privileged clientele. Today, timepieces from this historic exhibition are revered as prized possessions due to their scarcity and pivotal role in Patek Philippe's illustrious history.

    Fresh to the auction market, the present timepiece is part of only a handful of reference 3940s specially made for the 2015 Patek Philippe Watch Art Grand Exhibition. Showcasing a captivating salmon dial and open caseback, Patek Philippe used new old stock cases, paired with different dial colours that had never appeared before in the reference, but using the dial layout of the 5140, as can be seen from the present example.

    Immensely captivating, the present Saatchi Edition reference 3940 is furthermore accompanied by its original and full set of accessories including the certificate of origin, setting pin, additional numbered caseback and winding presentation box.

  • 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. 3940G-029
An extremely rare, important and attractive white gold perpetual calendar wristwatch with salmon dial, certificate of origin and presentation box, made for the 2015 Patek Philippe Watch Art Grand Exhibition at the Saatchi gallery in London

2016
36mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement and clasp signed

Estimate
CHF70,000 - 120,000 
€71,600-123,000
$76,500-131,000

Sold for CHF190,500

Contact Specialist

Alexandre Ghotbi
Deputy Chairman, Watches, Head of Watches, Europe, and 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: XIX featuring the Guido Mondani Collection

Geneva Auction 11 - 12 May 2024