Patek Philippe - The New York Watch Auction: SEVEN New York Saturday, December 10, 2022 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Patek Philippe
    Year: 1989
    Reference No: 3971E
    Movement No: 875'335
    Case No: 2'851'206
    Material: 18K yellow gold
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 27-70 Q, 24 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Alligator
    Clasp/Buckle: 18K yellow gold
    Dimensions: 36mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement, and buckle signed.
    Accessories: Accompanied by Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch in 1989 and its subsequent sale on May 12th, 1989. Further accompanied by period-correct presentation box and winding box.

  • Catalogue Essay

    First released in 1986 as the replacement of reference 2499, Patek Philippe reference 3971 (and its solid case back sibling the reference 3970) is a sort of “trait d’union” between the vintage and modern production of the company. Aesthetically, it presents many similarities to its predecessor, such as its pump-style pushers and downturned stepped lugs. The movement, however, features remarkable technical upgrades compared to what we find in ref. 2499: abandoning the Valjoux ébauche for a - heavily modified - Nouvelle Lemania ébauche, the model also provides information about the leap year and day/night cycles on the dial, extremely useful when setting the watch.

    The reference features one of the most peculiar evolutions for a Patek Philippe model, likely due to the tumultuous era of watchmaking in which the 3971 came to be – the 1980s and 1990s. Though a tenuous time, they were in fact the beginning of a new renaissance of mechanical watchmaking now in full bloom.

    Originally, the first two models – references 3970 and 3971 – were released with snap on case backs initially (known as first series), but very soon, the screw down back was introduced. Second series pieces, such as the present one, thus present screw down case backs and maintain the “first series” dial configuration, featuring “feuille” hands and rectangular hour markers. With the third series, a merging of the two references takes place: ref. 3971 disappears and only ref. 3970 is left, offered with both solid and glazed back – except for the platinum version. The dial configuration as well changes: the hands are baton, and the hour markers are not perfectly rectangular anymore, but rather feature a small “arrow” pointing to the center, known as lapidated indexes.

    While the output of the model was at the beginning relatively low, it ramped up by the end of the production run. Consequently, early examples of the first and second series are much more scarce than later specimens.

    An additional layer of intellectual - as well as aesthetic - interest is given by the fact that early pieces such as the present lot feature four hallmarks to the outer sides of the lugs, a very unusual placement which was abandoned mid-production probably because the location is very sensitive to rubbing. Another hypothesis is that clients remarked that they did not like to see the hallmarks on the lugs. The present example, one of only twenty-six known, bears all four hallmarks completely present to each lug.

  • 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.

    View More Works

Σ152

Ref. 3971E
A charming, elegant, and well-preserved yellow gold perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch with moon phase, 24-hour and leap year indication, sapphire screw-down caseback, Extract from the Archives, and presentation box

1989
36mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement, and buckle signed.

Estimate
$50,000 - 100,000 
CHF47,600-95,100
€48,200-96,400
HK$391,000-782,000
S$68,600-137,000

Sold for $113,400

Contact Specialist

Paul Boutros

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: SEVEN

New York Auction 10 - 11 December 2022