製造商: Patek Philippe 年份: Circa 2004 型號: 3970EP-021 機芯編號: 3’047’268 錶殼號碼: 4’258’849 材料: Platinum 機芯: Manual, cal. CH 27-70 Q, 24 jewels 錶帶/ 錶鏈: Crocodile 錶扣: Platinum Patek Philippe deployant clasp 尺寸: 36mm diameter 簽名: Case, dial, movement and clasp signed 配件: Accompanied by Patek Philippe Certificate of Origin dated 9th October 2004 stamped Schaap Citroen, Rotterdam, instruction manual, product literature, additional solid caseback, setting pin, hang tag, leather folio, travel case, outer packaging and fitted presentation box.
圖錄文章
Perpetual calendar chronograph timepieces have always been closely tied to one manufacture, Patek Philippe. Being the first to introduce the perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch in the 1940s, the firm garnered much attention when they launched the ref. 1518 and 2499. In 1986, the firm released the ref. 3970 replacing the legendary and coveted ref. 2499. With a production of the reference spanning until 2004, the ref. 3970 was introduced in a total of four series over the years.
First series (1986 – 1988) – Features snap on caseback, solid for (3970) and glazed for (3971), in production for a very short time. Dial: Satinated silver, rectangular indexes, “feuille” hands.
Second series (1989 – 1990) – Features screw back case, usually referenced as 3970E or 3971E (“E” for Etanche meaning waterproof). Dial: Satinated silver, rectangular indexes, “feuille” hands, later examples with “Baton” hands.
Third series (1989 – 1995) – Features screw back case with additional sapphire caseback, (ref. 3971 discontinued), after 1990 (lapilated indexes, matching “baton” hands).
Fourth series (1994 – 2004) – Features sapphire caseback with additional solid caseback, from 1997 onwards with deployant clasp. Also with examples with “E” or Etanche. Dial: lapilated indexes, matching “baton” hands.
It is estimated that 4,000 examples of the reference were produced across all series and metals. The present example Patek Philippe ref. 3970EP-021 from circa 2004 belongs to one of the last examples from the fourth series. Powered by cal. CH 27-70 Q, the caliber is indeed based on the legendary Lemania cal. 2310. Offered in single factory sealed condition, the present specimen of the reference is also accompanied by the full set of accessories. This is perhaps one of the most undervalued Patek Philippe references.
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.