SIGNED PATEK PHILIPPE, GENEVE, REF. 3970E, MOVEMENT NO. 875'155, CASE NO. 2'840'116, CIRCA 1988

In 1986, Patek Philippe launched a new generation of the perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch, designated reference 3970, replacing the hugely successful reference 2499 in production in four different series from 1951 to 1985. The main difference in the movement was the arrival of the new Lemania based ébauche which replaced the Valjoux movement used for the previous 50 years. Starting with movement number 875'000, the first series of reference 3970 was produced with a solid snap on back, comprising approximately 100 examples. The second series such as the present timepiece introduced a solid screw back, designated reference 3970E. It is believed that less than 400 pieces in yellow gold, from which less than 100 have come back to the market.

In 1989, a third series of ref. 3970 was launched, fitted with a solid screw back as well as an additional sapphire crystal display screw back. Reference 3970 was discontinued in 2004 and replaced by reference 5970.

While production of the reference 3970/3971 may have ended nearly 20 years ago, these modern yet classic perpetual calendar chronographs have become a must-have for the discerning collector of complicated wristwatches.