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Lot Essay
Launched in 1985 and discontinued in 2007, the reference 3940 has always been a collector-revered watch and is a significant timepiece in the modern history of watchmaking. Reference 3940 and its sister reference (the reference 3970 perpetual calendar chronograph) were unveiled at a time when few complicated wristwatches were available on the market and the mechanical watch renaissance wasn't entirely underway. Incredibly, Patek Philippe managed to fit a self-winding perpetual calendar caliber within a 36 mm. case as well as measuring under 9 mm. thin - an astounding feat that rivals the watchmaking innovations of today. The Caliber 240-Q movement features a 22k gold micro-rotor with beautiful finishing including Côtes de Genève, anglage, and perlage.
The design of the dials in line with many Patek Philippe references subtly changed over the 22 years of production for the 3940 with the present lot being on of the most coveted and rare examples. Featuring a gilt ‘doré’ dial versus the standard silvered opaline dial, this elusive timepiece is elusive watch is immediately recognizable. Historically, the first twenty-five 3940 watches featured gilt ‘doré’ dials with numbered dials and were signed ‘Beyer’ – a special tribute honoring Patek Philippe’s longest standing partnerships 225th anniversary. In the following years, very few non-Beyer examples were manufactured with gilt ‘doré dials, such as in the present lot. Adding to the mystifying nature of this watch, its reputation is further enhanced by the fact that the then head of the company, Philippe Stern, chose to wear this model with a gilt ‘doré’ dial as his everyday watch.
The design of the dials in line with many Patek Philippe references subtly changed over the 22 years of production for the 3940 with the present lot being on of the most coveted and rare examples. Featuring a gilt ‘doré’ dial versus the standard silvered opaline dial, this elusive timepiece is elusive watch is immediately recognizable. Historically, the first twenty-five 3940 watches featured gilt ‘doré’ dials with numbered dials and were signed ‘Beyer’ – a special tribute honoring Patek Philippe’s longest standing partnerships 225th anniversary. In the following years, very few non-Beyer examples were manufactured with gilt ‘doré dials, such as in the present lot. Adding to the mystifying nature of this watch, its reputation is further enhanced by the fact that the then head of the company, Philippe Stern, chose to wear this model with a gilt ‘doré’ dial as his everyday watch.