Patek Philippe - The Hong Kong Watch Auction: EIGHT Hong Kong Monday, May 27, 2019 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Patek Philippe
    Year: 1987
    Reference No: 3971J
    Movement No: 875’078
    Case No: 2’824’140
    Material: 18K yellow gold
    Calibre: Manual, cal. CH 27-70 Q, 24 Jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Crocodile
    Clasp/Buckle: 18K yellow gold Patek Philippe pin buckle
    Dimensions: 36mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial and movement signed
    Accessories: Further delivered with Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming the subsequent date of sale for the present example on 26th August 1987, leather wallet, product literature, outer packaging and fitted presentation box

  • Catalogue Essay

    In 1986, Patek Philippe introduced the reference 3970 alongside the rarer reference 3971. The 3971 carried very similar features as the 3970, though with a sapphire case back whereas the early 3970’s were fitted with a solid case back. The reference was the firm’s signature flagship model which was discontinued in 2004 and replaced by the last reference to be fitted with a Lemania based ebauche.

    It is very important to note that the present watch belongs to the first series of the reference. The first series of the watch is identified by the transparent snap-on case back - an extremely rare feature, while the second series adopts a screw-down transparent case back. The first series is particularly rare for the reference, as scholars estimate that less than 10 pieces were made for the first series, in contrast to more than 100 examples being created for the second series.

    The present example is a reference 3971 in yellow gold fitted with an attractive silvered dial with the day and date indication in Italian. Presented in overall excellent condition and further accompanied by a Patek Philippe extract from the archives, this present example is not one to miss for perpetual calendar chronograph connoisseurs.

  • 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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Σ1103

Ref. 3971J
A very fine and rare yellow gold perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch with moon phases, 24 hours, leap year indicator and sapphire crystal case back

1987
36mm Diameter
Case, dial and movement signed

Estimate
HK$780,000 - 1,500,000 
€87,900-169,000
$100,000-192,000

Sold for HK$862,500

Contact Specialist

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

The Hong Kong Watch Auction: EIGHT

Hong Kong Auction 28 May 2019