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Lot Essay
The endangered species strap is shown for display purpose only and is not for sale. Should you wish to export the lot, Christie’s will have to unseal the watch and remove the strap.
This exquisitely beautiful timepiece is one of the legendary set of four special edition reference 3970s created exclusively for the reopening of Patek Philippe’s Geneva Salons in November 2006. In the nearly two decades since the set’s creation, few collectors were aware of their existence, and even fewer have had the privilege to admire them in person. Together with its three equally remarkable companion watches, the present exceptional platinum reference 3970EP-038 stands as one of the most exclusive and important representations of the 3970 ever made - a perfect harmony of mechanical sophistication, dial exclusivity, and rare case material.
To the best of our knowledge, this watch is only the second example of its kind to appear at international auction in over a decade.
Each of the four special edition 3970s features a unique dial color developed exclusively for the set, corresponding to the respective precious metal of the case. All four are distinguished by full Breguet numerals - one of the most sought-after and rare configurations among all reference 3970 models. The complete set was produced for, and sold directly from, Patek Philippe’s Geneva boutique by invitation only to their most important and loyal international collectors. While the exact number of sets produced remains unconfirmed, it is believed to be as few as four.
The present timepiece’s most striking feature is its ravishing, exclusively developed 'Rose' dial with contrasting white gold full Breguet numerals. This creates a distinctly different and highly captivating aesthetic compared to standard 3970 production models. Sold in May 2007, this watch was produced approximately two years after the official conclusion of the reference 3970 series in 2004. Bearing characteristics of a 4th series 3970, including seven-digit movement and case numbers, this edition - along with a handful of other special-order, out-of-series pieces - was occasionally sanctioned post-series, making such late-production examples some of the most fascinating and rare watches for collectors.
This extraordinary timepiece offers collectors the rare opportunity to acquire one of the most significant and celebrated specimens of reference 3970, a true classic in the pantheon of Patek Philippe masterpieces.
This exquisitely beautiful timepiece is one of the legendary set of four special edition reference 3970s created exclusively for the reopening of Patek Philippe’s Geneva Salons in November 2006. In the nearly two decades since the set’s creation, few collectors were aware of their existence, and even fewer have had the privilege to admire them in person. Together with its three equally remarkable companion watches, the present exceptional platinum reference 3970EP-038 stands as one of the most exclusive and important representations of the 3970 ever made - a perfect harmony of mechanical sophistication, dial exclusivity, and rare case material.
To the best of our knowledge, this watch is only the second example of its kind to appear at international auction in over a decade.
Each of the four special edition 3970s features a unique dial color developed exclusively for the set, corresponding to the respective precious metal of the case. All four are distinguished by full Breguet numerals - one of the most sought-after and rare configurations among all reference 3970 models. The complete set was produced for, and sold directly from, Patek Philippe’s Geneva boutique by invitation only to their most important and loyal international collectors. While the exact number of sets produced remains unconfirmed, it is believed to be as few as four.
The present timepiece’s most striking feature is its ravishing, exclusively developed 'Rose' dial with contrasting white gold full Breguet numerals. This creates a distinctly different and highly captivating aesthetic compared to standard 3970 production models. Sold in May 2007, this watch was produced approximately two years after the official conclusion of the reference 3970 series in 2004. Bearing characteristics of a 4th series 3970, including seven-digit movement and case numbers, this edition - along with a handful of other special-order, out-of-series pieces - was occasionally sanctioned post-series, making such late-production examples some of the most fascinating and rare watches for collectors.
This extraordinary timepiece offers collectors the rare opportunity to acquire one of the most significant and celebrated specimens of reference 3970, a true classic in the pantheon of Patek Philippe masterpieces.