11 hour strikes, three quarter strikes and 14 minute strikes, a constant tempo as each chime rings through the ears of generations. From father and his father before him, this has been the personal task for the Stern family for decades to deliver the purest of chimes toward its long history of watchmaking. A legacy that took place over 180 years ago with the first repeating pocket watches by Patek Philippe began as a necessity, a way to tell time in the dark. Today, minute repeating timepieces are regarded as a horological pinnacle amongst watchmaking and equally important to the circle of astute collectors. An incredible challenge to showcase the mastery of the watchmaker not only by how refined the finishing is, or how timeless the design can be. All is defined by solely the sound that rings to your ear, and none does it better than Patek Philippe.
Marking a significant 150th anniversary of the maison, Patek Philippe celebrated the milestone in 1989 with the release of a limited collection. Among them all, the crown jewel of the collection apart from the cal. 89 pocket watch was the collector’s favourite and at the time the most complicated wristwatch by the firm, the coveted ref. 3974 self-winding minute repeating perpetual calendar wristwatch.
Produced from 1989 to 2002, it is believed that approximately 120 examples of the reference were produced across all metals including yellow gold, pink gold, white gold and platinum. While most examples were cased in yellow gold, not more than 20 examples in pink gold and a dozen in white gold and platinum were produced.
Extremely impressive, elegant with utterly attractive looks, the reference featured a classic style three-piece 36mm diameter case with a sapphire caseback. While it is generally known that early examples of the case were made by the living legend Jean-Pierre Hagmann with his hallmarks stamped beneath the bottom right lug, later examples featured cases made by Atelier Reunis. Sold by PHILLIPS In 2020, a late production ref. 3974P surfaced in the market bearing a late case number 4'129'601; marking not only the very end of the production of the reference, but also the last example to be cased by Jean-Pierre Hagmann. In fact, according to our understanding, that was the last ref. 3974 example made in any case material. It was delivered to a VIP customer in January 2004, 3 years after the production of the last movements for the reference (2001, the year of production of this movement).
The Possibly Unique Ref. 3974P
According to our research, only 8 examples of the ref. 3974 in platinum have ever been offered at auction. Only a mere of 2 examples of a Patek Philippe ref. 3974P has the luxury of being fitted with a Breguet numerals dial.
Fresh-to-the-market, PHILLIPS is honoured to present an addition to the family. Totalling the number to be the 9th example in platinum offered to the public, and more importantly, a possibly unique example.
From the 8 examples previously known to the market, one can see the rarity of a ref. 3974 cased in platinum. Platinum is a known to dampen the sound of chimes in a repeating watch, however thanks to Patek Philippe’s technical expertise and savoir faire, the ref. 3974P balances volume, rhythm, harmony, and pitch in perfection. Where any platinum variant of the model can be considered an absolute grail, the bar can be set even higher with the dial that sits atop. Known to be fitted with an opaline white dial with baton indexes as their regular platinum production, the minute collectors hear “Breguet numerals”, they know they are in for a treat.
Evident with staggering results such as the mentioned example offered by Phillips in Geneva Auction XII in 2020. The ref. 3974P fitted with a special request black Breguet dial bearing case no. 4’129’601 and movement no. 1’906’113 was sold for 1,421,500 CHF.
Ref. 3974P with Opaline White dial and baton indexes
Movement No. 1’906’081 Case No. 2’954’678 Circa 1992
Movement No. 1’906’082 Case No. 2’854’679 Circa 1992
Movement No. 1’906’092 Case No. 2’946’954 Circa 1994
Movement No. 1’906’094 Case No. 2’946’953 Circa 1994
Movement No. 1’906’095 Case No. 2’946’955 Circa 1994
Movement No. 1’906’113 Case No. 4’129’601 Circa 2001 (Special request of an additional black dial with Breguet numerals)
Black Breguet numerals dial
Movement No. 1’906’099 Case No. 2’972’570 Circa 1999
Movement No. 1’906’106 Case No. 2’972’567 Circa 2009 (Special request of an additional white opaline dial with Breguet numerals)
Opaline White Breguet numerals dial
Movement No. 1’906’110 Case No. 4’129’600 Circa 2001 (The Present Example)
Extremely important and highly attractive, the present ref. 3974P is the only example known born with an opaline white Breguet numerals dial. Not only that, but this very example bears a consecutive serial of 4’129’600, making this the 2nd last 3974P to be made and delivered. As confirmed from the Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives with its dial configuration, it belongs to the very end of the production of the model; this example was manufactured in 2001 and was sold in September of that year.
An auditory experience that is physical and emotional. As one gently pushes home and releases the repeater slide, the watch is brought to life. Strong, clear acoustic as each gong strikes, neither too weak or too strong, this 3974P promises only constant and harmonic resonance. Thanks to the impeccable Jean-Pierre Hagmann, who created this beautiful case for the watch, his JHP stamp remains crisply stamped behind the strong downturned lugs. The JHP stamp is also present on the inside of the solid case back, highlighting the pride this legendary craftsman took in his job. Furthermore, the preservation of this timepiece is a charmer. Stunningly preserved with strong proportions and defined stepped lugs, one can sense the care and love from its previous collector.
A possibly unique ref. 3974P haloed by Jean Pierre Hagmann and the personal audition by Mr. Stern, the original Certificate of Origin and additional solid case back keep this incredible timpiece company. It is needless to say this is one of the illustrious timepieces that will take a very important place in Patek Philippe’s history.