.jpg?w=1)
.jpg?w=1)
.jpg?w=1)
.jpg?w=1)
Lot Essay
In 1989, when the reference 3974 was launched, it was the world’s most complicated wristwatch. With only around 160 examples ever made in total, it is not only one of the rarest, but one of the most technically sophisticated Patek Grande Complications of the period.
The present self-winding minute repeating perpetual calendar moon phase wristwatch, is not only one of the very rare white gold versions, but also has a case made by the legendary Jean-Pierre Hagmann – a great rarity in itself. Of all the examples of reference 3974 manufactured, the majority were crafted in yellow gold, platinum, pink gold and less than 12 pieces in white gold, the present watch is only the third example to appear at international auction in the last 23 years since production ceased.
This stunningly attractive white gold reference 3974 is a very special and distinguished watch of the reference and perfect for any collector seeking great exclusivity among complicated Patek Philippe wristwatches. Wonderfully preserved, it is one of only three cased in white gold ever to have come back to the market, furthermore, it is sold with the original Certificate with date code for October 1991 and full set of accessories.
Study of Reference 3974G, Movement no. 1’906’050, Case no. 2’915’321
The Dial
In pristine condition with a silvered surface and applied white gold indexes as indicated by the ‘Aprior’ marks flanking the word ‘Swiss’ at the lower edge of the dial. The dial completes the watch's overall highly appealing silver/grey aesthetic, its minimalist style and dauphine hands recalls the dials of Patek Philippe’s mid-20th century golden age.
The Case
A fascinating and important aspect of this sensational wristwatch is that the case is made by the master casemaker Jean-Pierre Hagmann of Geneva, his master mark ‘JPH’ being stamped on the back of the lower left lug. This is historically significant because only the very first handful of reference 3974 were made by him. Very soon after initial production began, the making of the cases was switched to Patek Philippe’s in-house casemaker, Ateliers Rèunis S.A. (master casemaker’s mark 28 in a key). The work of Jean-Pierre Hagmann is regarded as the bench mark for case making, being without doubt the most skilled living craftsman in the field. Originally trained as a jeweller, Jean-Pierre Hagmann set up his own company in 1984, specializing in the manufacture of custom-made high quality watch cases. He worked for several of the world's most famous watch manufactures, notably Patek Philippe, to whom he supplied amongst others, cases for references 3974, 3979, 5016 and 5029, all models of the firm's ’Grand Complication’ series.
The Movement
The ingenious in-house calibre 27 RQ impresses not only by its remarkable number of 467 parts but also by Patek Philippe's masterly performance of combining a 22K micro-rotor, minute repeating, perpetual calendar, 24-hour indication and phases of the moon mechanisms in a proportionally small 12 ½ ligne movement. The caliber was the first automatic minute repeating movement ever made. Reference 3974 has become a modern classic epitomizing the strengths and wonderful acoustics of Patek Philippe minute repeaters.
Reference 3974
One of the most important watches ever made in series by Patek Philippe, reference 3974 was launched in 1989 to celebrate Patek Philippe's 150th anniversary, at the time not only the firm's but also the world's most complicated wristwatch. The very first movement was numbered 1'906'000.
Research has revealed that only around 160 examples of ref. 3974 were ever made, the majority in yellow gold. The cases of the early examples including the present watch were made by Jean-Pierre Hagmann and bear his hallmark. Later series were fitted with Atéliers Réunis cases.
This highly sought-after reference ceased production in 2000 and is regarded as one of the most desirable minute repeating wristwatches of the last 30 years
The present self-winding minute repeating perpetual calendar moon phase wristwatch, is not only one of the very rare white gold versions, but also has a case made by the legendary Jean-Pierre Hagmann – a great rarity in itself. Of all the examples of reference 3974 manufactured, the majority were crafted in yellow gold, platinum, pink gold and less than 12 pieces in white gold, the present watch is only the third example to appear at international auction in the last 23 years since production ceased.
This stunningly attractive white gold reference 3974 is a very special and distinguished watch of the reference and perfect for any collector seeking great exclusivity among complicated Patek Philippe wristwatches. Wonderfully preserved, it is one of only three cased in white gold ever to have come back to the market, furthermore, it is sold with the original Certificate with date code for October 1991 and full set of accessories.
Study of Reference 3974G, Movement no. 1’906’050, Case no. 2’915’321
The Dial
In pristine condition with a silvered surface and applied white gold indexes as indicated by the ‘Aprior’ marks flanking the word ‘Swiss’ at the lower edge of the dial. The dial completes the watch's overall highly appealing silver/grey aesthetic, its minimalist style and dauphine hands recalls the dials of Patek Philippe’s mid-20th century golden age.
The Case
A fascinating and important aspect of this sensational wristwatch is that the case is made by the master casemaker Jean-Pierre Hagmann of Geneva, his master mark ‘JPH’ being stamped on the back of the lower left lug. This is historically significant because only the very first handful of reference 3974 were made by him. Very soon after initial production began, the making of the cases was switched to Patek Philippe’s in-house casemaker, Ateliers Rèunis S.A. (master casemaker’s mark 28 in a key). The work of Jean-Pierre Hagmann is regarded as the bench mark for case making, being without doubt the most skilled living craftsman in the field. Originally trained as a jeweller, Jean-Pierre Hagmann set up his own company in 1984, specializing in the manufacture of custom-made high quality watch cases. He worked for several of the world's most famous watch manufactures, notably Patek Philippe, to whom he supplied amongst others, cases for references 3974, 3979, 5016 and 5029, all models of the firm's ’Grand Complication’ series.
The Movement
The ingenious in-house calibre 27 RQ impresses not only by its remarkable number of 467 parts but also by Patek Philippe's masterly performance of combining a 22K micro-rotor, minute repeating, perpetual calendar, 24-hour indication and phases of the moon mechanisms in a proportionally small 12 ½ ligne movement. The caliber was the first automatic minute repeating movement ever made. Reference 3974 has become a modern classic epitomizing the strengths and wonderful acoustics of Patek Philippe minute repeaters.
Reference 3974
One of the most important watches ever made in series by Patek Philippe, reference 3974 was launched in 1989 to celebrate Patek Philippe's 150th anniversary, at the time not only the firm's but also the world's most complicated wristwatch. The very first movement was numbered 1'906'000.
Research has revealed that only around 160 examples of ref. 3974 were ever made, the majority in yellow gold. The cases of the early examples including the present watch were made by Jean-Pierre Hagmann and bear his hallmark. Later series were fitted with Atéliers Réunis cases.
This highly sought-after reference ceased production in 2000 and is regarded as one of the most desirable minute repeating wristwatches of the last 30 years