Patek Philippe - WINNING ICONS – Legendary Watches of the 20th Century New York Thursday, October 26, 2017 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Patek Philippe
    Year: 1991
    Reference No: 3970E
    Movement No: 875’978
    Case No: 2’900’979
    Material: Platinum
    Calibre: Manual, cal. CH 27-70Q, 24 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Leather
    Clasp/Buckle: Platinum Patek Philippe buckle
    Dimensions: 36mm diameter
    Accessories: With Patek Philippe Certificate of Origin, product literature, wallet, setting pin and fitted presentation box. Furthermore delivered with Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch in 1991 and its subsequent sale on December 11, 1991.

  • Catalogue Essay

    Patek Philippe’s reference 3970 evolved from a line of important and iconic perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatches, which first began in 1941 with the reference 1518. Launched in 1986 as the replacement for the reference 2499, the 3970 featured a heavily modified Lemania-based movement over the Valjoux-based calibers used in the earlier 1518 and 2499 references. The 36 mm case had a decidedly modern appeal. Over its 19-years of production, the 3970 underwent three significant modifications. The first series featured a snap on case back, with applied gold baton indexes and feuille hands, and the subdials are slightly off colour. The second series featured a screw-down, solid case back, gold applied baton indexes and feuille hands, registers now match the dial. The third series featured a sapphire display back with a screw-down solid case back, lapidated indexes and baton hands, printing on dial is darker, and the silver brighter. Manufactured in 1991, the present lot is a hardly ever seen second series example in platinum, featuring coveted feuille hands and rectangular indexes. Fresh to the auction market and complete with its original certificate of origin and presentation box, the present lot is a superb example of Patek Philippe’s famous reference 3970, and amongst the finest and most prestigious examples one could hope to acquire.

  • 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. 3970E
A very rare and attractive platinum perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch with moon phase indication, original certificate, and presentation box.

1991
Case, dial and movement signed
36mm diameter

Estimate
$80,000 - 160,000 
CHF77,900-156,000
€68,200-136,000
HK$625,000-1,250,000

Sold for $118,750

Contact Specialist
Paul Boutros
Head of Watches, Americas
+1 212 940 1293
pboutros@phillips.com

WINNING ICONS – Legendary Watches of the 20th Century

New York Auction 26 October 2017