PATEK PHILIPPE. A RARE 18K GOLD AUTOMATIC PERPETUAL CALENDAR WRISTWATCH WITH MOON PHASES, 24 HOUR AND LEAP YEAR INDICATION
PATEK PHILIPPE. A RARE 18K GOLD AUTOMATIC PERPETUAL CALENDAR WRISTWATCH WITH MOON PHASES, 24 HOUR AND LEAP YEAR INDICATION
PATEK PHILIPPE. A RARE 18K GOLD AUTOMATIC PERPETUAL CALENDAR WRISTWATCH WITH MOON PHASES, 24 HOUR AND LEAP YEAR INDICATION
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Please note, the endangered species strap is shown… Read more
PATEK PHILIPPE. A RARE 18K GOLD AUTOMATIC PERPETUAL CALENDAR WRISTWATCH WITH MOON PHASES, 24 HOUR AND LEAP YEAR INDICATION

REF. 3940J “SECOND SERIES”, MANUFACTURED IN 1988

Details
PATEK PHILIPPE. A RARE 18K GOLD AUTOMATIC PERPETUAL CALENDAR WRISTWATCH WITH MOON PHASES, 24 HOUR AND LEAP YEAR INDICATION
REF. 3940J “SECOND SERIES”, MANUFACTURED IN 1988
Movement: Automatic
Dial: Silvered
Case: 36 mm.
With: 18k gold Patek Philippe buckle, Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives
Remark: Early second series
Note: Serial numbers are available upon request
Special notice
Please note, the endangered species strap is shown for display purposes only and is not for sale. For further information please refer to the Conditions of Sale.

Brought to you by

Alexandre Bigler
Alexandre Bigler SVP, Head of Watches, Asia Pacific

Lot Essay

An excellent and early example of the second series 3940J automatic perpetual calendar moon phase, made in 1988, with English calendar indications as confirmed by the Extract from the Archives. The second series of reference 3940 began in 1988 with movement number 771,000 and case number 2’848’***.

The recognized main design variations between earlier and later series dials include sunken subsidiary dials as opposed to the bevelled later version and a plain leap-year dial rather than the later-style quarter separations. Earlier models featured a smaller signature, the designation ‘Swiss’ flanked by ‘Aprior’ marks was printed underneath the beady minute divisions. This was changed in later series with the ‘Swiss’ printing within the ring. The present dial is interesting in exhibiting elements of both first and second series dials. Bearing an early second series case and movement number, it is likely that dials such as the present example are a transitional development between the first series dials and the fully realized version of second series dials.


Launched in 1985 and discontinued in 2007, the reference 3940 has always been a much-loved watch by collectors and is a significant reference in the modern history of Patek Philippe. The 3940’s reputation is further enhanced by the fact that the then head of the company, Philippe Stern, chose to wear the model as his everyday watch.

According to our research, reference 3940 in yellow gold from the second series has been produced to approximately 1'680 pieces.



Patek Philippe Ref. 3940
Reference 3940, the quintessential perpetual calendar distinguished by its timeless elegance, is undeniably amongst Patek Philippe's greatest classics. Launched in 1985 as replacement for reference 3450, it was at the time the slimmest automatic perpetual calendar wristwatch thanks to the Cal. 240-Q movement with a 22k gold micro-rotor.

An initial series of around 100 pieces were manufactured between 1984 and 1985, the first 25 were especially made for the 225th anniversary of Patek Philippe's retailer Chronometrie Beyer in Zurich, numbered and personalized. Starting in 1985, reference 3940 went into standard production. Until the model's discontinuation in 2007 when it was replaced by reference 5140 three further series were produced.

Literature
Examples of reference 3940, both regular and the Chronometrie Beyer anniversary version, are illustrated and described in: Patek Philippe Museum - Patek Philippe Watches - Volume II, p. 300, and in: Patek Philippe Wristwatches by Martin Huber & Alan Banbery, second edition, pp 292 - 294.

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