Patek Philippe - The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XIV Hong Kong Friday, May 27, 2022 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Patek Philippe
    Year: 1986
    Reference No: 3940
    Movement No: 770’118
    Case No: 2’824’891
    Material: 18k yellow gold
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 240 Q, 27 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Crocodile
    Clasp/Buckle: 18K yellow gold Patek Philippe deployant clasp
    Dimensions: 36mm diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and clasp signed
    Accessories: Delivered with a Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming the date of manufacture of the present timepiece in 1986 and its subsequent date of sale on 25th March 1986.

  • Catalogue Essay

    Seen on the wrist of Mr. Philippe Stern, the Patek Philippe ref. 3940 is undeniably one of the most iconic perpetual calendar references manufactured by the firm. Launched in 1985 replacing its former ref. 3450, the legendary “Padellone”, the ref. 3940 features a rather classic Calatrava-style case with extremely clean proportions and dial layout equipped for the first time with a micro-rotor. Launched in four metals, yellow gold, pink gold, white gold and platinum, the reference was offered in a total of three series with its production spanning until 2007. The reference was first produced for famed retailer Chronometrie Beyer in Zürich in a limited edition of 25 pieces to celebrate its 225th anniversary, each individually numbered bearing the Beyer signature on the dial.

    The present example Patek Philippe ref. 3940 in yellow gold with a 770 thousand movement number from 1986 confirmed by an Extract from the Archives issued by Patek Philippe belongs to the rare and desirable first series. While most examples were fitted with silver dials, the present example with a gold champagne dial is certainly rare. With its distinctive traits confirming the present example to be one of the earliest, the dial features sunken registers that are consistent with other examples from the respective series, furthermore, it is also equipped with a solid caseback, with later examples featuring a transparent display caseback.

  • 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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Σ939

Ref. 3940
A very fine, attractive and rare yellow gold perpetual calendar wristwatch with champagne dial, moon phases, 24-hour and leap year indication

1986
36mm diameter
Case, dial, movement and clasp signed

Estimate
HK$320,000 - 470,000 
€40,800-59,900
$41,000-60,300

Sold for HK$1,890,000

Contact Specialist

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

The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XIV

Hong Kong Auction 27 - 28 May 2022