Patek Philippe - The Hong Kong Watch Auction: ONE Hong Kong Monday, November 30, 2015 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Patek Philippe
    Year: 2001
    Reference No: 3970
    Movement No: 3'046'915
    Case No: 4'197'882
    Material: Platinum
    Calibre: Mechanical, CH 27-70 Q, 24 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Black Patek Philippe crocodile leather strap
    Clasp/Buckle: Platinum Patek Philippe deployant clasp
    Dimensions: 36.5 mm. diameter
    Signed: Case, dial and movement signed
    Accessories: With duplicate Patek Philippe Certificate of Origin dated 7 October 2005, additional case back, setting pin, product literature, instruction manual, leather wallet, fitted presentation box and outer packaging. Furthermore delivered with Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming the production of the present watch in 2001 and its subsequent sale on 28 July 2003.

  • Catalogue Essay

    Reference 3970, the celebrated perpetual calendar chronograph, was first introduced in 1986 and discontinued in 2004. The watch underwent three significant transformations. The first was that it was originally fitted with a snap solid back. Patek, in order to cater to client's requests to view the movement, introduced a new reference 3971 to satisfy this need. In production for a very short period, Patek realized that by combining the reference 3971 and 3970, and by introducing an additional second case back, they would streamline the reference. The third transformation was upgrading the reference to 3970E, which stands for "étanche", or water proof.

    The present reference 3970 is from the final series and was manufactured in 2001. The condition can only be described as excellent, with very sharp fluting to the lugs and the dial which is turned slightly ivory, giving the watch a very warm tone.

  • 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. 3970
A fine and rare platinum perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch with moon phases with additional case back, duplicate original certificate and fitted presentation box

2001
36.5 mm. diameter
Case, dial and movement signed

Estimate
HK$620,000 - 960,000 

Sold for HK$725,000

Contact Specialist

Thomas Perazzi
Head of Watches, Asia
+852 2318 2001
thomasperazzi@phillips.com

Ziyong Ho
Specialist
+852 9386 2032
ziyongho@phillips.com

Jill Chen
Specialist
+852 2318 2033
jillchen@phillips.com

The Hong Kong Watch Auction: ONE

Hong Kong Auction 1 December 2015 11am