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Lot Essay
Please note that Christie’s has applied for an ‘Extract from the Archives’ from Patek Philippe Archives but the Extract has not yet been issued and may not be available by the date of the auction.
Carefully looked after over the years and consigned by the family of the original owner, the present reference 3970E is a true collector's piece. Its bold case proportions, sharply defined stepped lugs, and well-preserved hallmarks are sure to delight its future owner.
Reference 3970
In 1986, Patek Philippe introduced a new generation of perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch, with the launch of reference 3970, following the legendary reference 2499, which had been produced in four series form 1951 and 1985. The movement was the main change: a Lemania-based ébauche took the place of the Valjoux calibre, which had been in use for almost 50 years. The first series of the 3970, which included about 100 pieces, was made with a solid snap-on back starting with movement number 875'000.
The second series, known as reference 3970E, featured a solid screw-down caseback. It is estimated that fewer than 400 yellow gold examples were produced, and fewer than 100 of those have been known to reappear on the market. The third series, which included a solid screw back and an extra sapphire crystal display back, came out in 1989. The fourth series, such as the present timepiece, was produced from 1994 and retains the design elements of the third series, while swapping the traditional pin buckle for a deployant clasp. In the end, reference 3970 was discontinued in 2004 and replaced by reference 5970.
Although production of reference 3970 and 3971 ended twenty years ago, these classic yet modern perpetual calendar chronographs have become a must-have for the discerning collector of complicated wristwatches.
Carefully looked after over the years and consigned by the family of the original owner, the present reference 3970E is a true collector's piece. Its bold case proportions, sharply defined stepped lugs, and well-preserved hallmarks are sure to delight its future owner.
Reference 3970
In 1986, Patek Philippe introduced a new generation of perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch, with the launch of reference 3970, following the legendary reference 2499, which had been produced in four series form 1951 and 1985. The movement was the main change: a Lemania-based ébauche took the place of the Valjoux calibre, which had been in use for almost 50 years. The first series of the 3970, which included about 100 pieces, was made with a solid snap-on back starting with movement number 875'000.
The second series, known as reference 3970E, featured a solid screw-down caseback. It is estimated that fewer than 400 yellow gold examples were produced, and fewer than 100 of those have been known to reappear on the market. The third series, which included a solid screw back and an extra sapphire crystal display back, came out in 1989. The fourth series, such as the present timepiece, was produced from 1994 and retains the design elements of the third series, while swapping the traditional pin buckle for a deployant clasp. In the end, reference 3970 was discontinued in 2004 and replaced by reference 5970.
Although production of reference 3970 and 3971 ended twenty years ago, these classic yet modern perpetual calendar chronographs have become a must-have for the discerning collector of complicated wristwatches.