PATEK PHILIPPE, REF. 3970EP, A FINE AND RARE PLATINUM PERPETUAL CALENDAR CHRONOGRAPH WRISTWATCH WITH MOON PHASES, 24-HOUR INDICATOR, AND DIAMOND-SET DIAL
PATEK PHILIPPE, REF. 3970EP, A FINE AND RARE PLATINUM PERPETUAL CALENDAR CHRONOGRAPH WRISTWATCH WITH MOON PHASES, 24-HOUR INDICATOR, AND DIAMOND-SET DIAL
PATEK PHILIPPE, REF. 3970EP, A FINE AND RARE PLATINUM PERPETUAL CALENDAR CHRONOGRAPH WRISTWATCH WITH MOON PHASES, 24-HOUR INDICATOR, AND DIAMOND-SET DIAL
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PATEK PHILIPPE, REF. 3970EP, A FINE AND RARE PLATINUM PERPETUAL CALENDAR CHRONOGRAPH WRISTWATCH WITH MOON PHASES, 24-HOUR INDICATOR, AND DIAMOND-SET DIAL
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This watch is pictured with straps made of endange… Read more
PATEK PHILIPPE, REF. 3970EP, A FINE AND RARE PLATINUM PERPETUAL CALENDAR CHRONOGRAPH WRISTWATCH WITH MOON PHASES, 24-HOUR INDICATOR, AND DIAMOND-SET DIAL

Details
PATEK PHILIPPE, REF. 3970EP, A FINE AND RARE PLATINUM PERPETUAL CALENDAR CHRONOGRAPH WRISTWATCH WITH MOON PHASES, 24-HOUR INDICATOR, AND DIAMOND-SET DIAL
CIRCA: 1992
CASE MATERIAL: Platinum
CASE DIAMETER: 36mm
MOVEMENT NO’: 876156
CASE NO’: 2919382
DIAL: Black, Diamond-Set
MOVEMENT: Manual
FUNCTIONS: Perpetual Calendar, Chronograph, Moon Phases, 24-Hour Indicator
BOX: No
PAPERS: No
ACCESSORIES: Patek Philippe Platinum Tang Buckle

Please note the strap is shown for display purposes only and is not for sale. Upon sale, the watch will be supplied to the buyer without the inclusion of a strap.
Special notice
This watch is pictured with straps made of endangered or protected animal materials such as alligator or crocodile. These endangered species straps are shown for display purposes only and are not for sale. Christie’s will remove and retain the strap prior to shipment from the sale site. At some sale sites, Christie’s may, at its discretion, make the displayed endangered species strap available to the buyer of the lot free of charge if collected in person from the sale site within 1 year of the date of the auction. Please check with the department for details on a particular lot.

Brought to you by

Rebecca Ross
Rebecca Ross VP, Head of Sale, Watches

Lot Essay

In 1986, Patek Philippe launched a new generation of the perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch, designated reference 3970. The timepiece replaced the highly coveted and legendary reference 2499. A notable upgrade to the new reference was the utilization of a Lemania based ébauche, replacing the Valjoux movement used for the previous 50 years.

Starting with movement number 875000, the first series of reference 3970 was produced with a solid snap-on caseback, comprising approximately 100 examples. The second series introduced a solid screw back, designated reference 3970E (E for étanche, French for waterproof). A small number of watches from both series were also available with a sapphire caseback, designated reference 3971E.

In 1989, a third series of reference 3970 was launched, supplied with both a solid and sapphire caseback. Some of these models were enhanced with diamond hour markers, further adding an elegant spirit to the complicated watch. Manufacturing for reference 3970 ceased in 2004, making way for a much larger successor reference 5970.

While production may have ended nearly twenty years ago, reference 3970EP presents as an opportunity to own a timepiece from Patek Philippe’s legendary perpetual calendar chronograph family for the smaller wrist or classical case size preference at 36mm, compared to the much larger contemporary pieces from the current catalog.

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