Patek Philippe - The New York Watch Auction: NINE New York Saturday, December 9, 2023 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Patek Philippe
    Year: 1997
    Reference No: 3940
    Movement No: 775’754
    Case No: 2’981’630
    Material: 18K pink gold
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 240Q, 27 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Crocodile
    Clasp/Buckle: 18K pink gold Patek Philippe deployant clasp
    Dimensions: 36mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement, and clasp signed.
    Accessories: Accompanied by Patek Philippe Certificate of Origin dated April 8 1997, product literature, leather folio, numbered envelope, Patek Philippe winding box with instructions, additional solid caseback, setting pin, suede pouch, and outer box. Additionally accompanied by original hangtag still affixed to the deployant clasp.

  • Catalogue Essay

    The production of the reference 3940 can be categorized as follows:

    Pre-Series (1985): 25 pieces produced exclusively for Beyer Chronometrie and numbered 1 through 25 on the dial.

    First Series (1985 - 1987/1988): Sunken sub-dials, hallmarks to the left-hand side of the case, accent grave on Genève. Solid caseback only.

    Second Series (1988 - 1990): Beveled sub-dials with hallmarks to the left-hand side of the case with a transition to the underside of the lugs, no accent on Genève. Solid caseback, a sapphire caseback was offered halfway through production.

    Third Series (1989 – 1996): Beveled sub-dials, hallmarks under the lugs. No accent on Genève and Sigma-Swiss-Sigma in line with the beaded outer track. Produced in yellow gold, white gold, pink gold, and platinum. Sapphire caseback with additional solid caseback. (The present example.)

    Fourth Series (1995 – 2007): Beveled sub-dials, hallmarks under the lugs. No accent on Genève and Sigma-Swiss-Sigma in line with the beaded outer track. Sapphire caseback with additional solid caseback. More modern font and new serial number range.

    The present reference 3940 in 18K pink gold comes to market in like new-old-stock condition, showing barely any traces of wear. Interestingly, it bears the transitional hallmarks to both the underside and the sides of the case – all of which are impeccably preserved.

    The full suite of accessories accompanies this impressively preserved perpetual calendar reference from Patek Philippe, including the original hang tag attached to the clasp, solid caseback, and setting pin, an attractive proposition for the discerning collector.

  • 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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Σ51

Ref. 3940
A “new-old-stock” pink gold perpetual calendar wristwatch with moon phase, leap year, 24-hour indicator, additional solid caseback, certificate of origin, and presentation box

1997
36mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement, and clasp signed.

Estimate
$30,000 - 60,000 
CHF27,000-54,000
€28,100-56,100
HK$234,000-469,000
S$40,800-81,600

Sold for $82,550

Contact Specialist

Paul Boutros
Deputy Chairman and Head of Watches, Americas
+1 (212) 940-1293
WatchesNY@Phillips.com
 
Isabella Proia
Head of Sale, New York
+1 (212) 940 1285
iproia@phillips.com

The New York Watch Auction: NINE

New York Auction 9 - 10 December 2023