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Descrizione dettagliata lotto
When this spectacular ‘champagne’ gilt dial Second Series reference 3970EJ was first sold by Christie’s in 2015 it was entirely fresh to the market. Since then it has been highly prized as part of an important private collection. We are truly privileged to now once again reveal this remarkable watch to international collectors for this 40th Anniversary of Christie’s in Asia auction.
Of the approximately 650 Second Series pieces made across all metals between 1987 and 1990, only a handful of yellow gold watches featuring a ‘champagne’ gilt dial are known publicly, and fewer than 10 pieces have been offered at auction across all reference 3970 and 3971. Standard production second-series watches were fitted with silvered/opaline dials and indeed the Extract from the Archives for the present watch states “silvery opaline-white dial, yellow gold indexes”. Reference 3970E with ‘champagne’ gilt dials (called ‘doré by Patek Philippe) are therefore presumed to have been fitted by request through Patek Philippe's special orders department. Comparing the present watch with another known ‘champagne’ gilt second series watch, also made in 1988 and with close movement and case numbers to the present watch, and accompanied by its original Certificate of Origin, also records the dial as being “argenté’ (silver).
Even the most exacting of collectors will savour the exclusivity of this reference 3970EJ in the certain knowledge that so few examples are known with this stunningly attractive ‘champagne’ gilt dial. An exceptional departure in appearance from the classic 3970E production model, it offers collectors the perfect opportunity to obtain what is undoubtedly one of the most distinctive of all second series 3970E.
Patek Philippe Ref. 3970
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 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 crystal back, designated reference 3971E. 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. These modern yet classic perpetual calendar chronographs have become a must-have for the discerning collector of complicated wristwatches.
Of the approximately 650 Second Series pieces made across all metals between 1987 and 1990, only a handful of yellow gold watches featuring a ‘champagne’ gilt dial are known publicly, and fewer than 10 pieces have been offered at auction across all reference 3970 and 3971. Standard production second-series watches were fitted with silvered/opaline dials and indeed the Extract from the Archives for the present watch states “silvery opaline-white dial, yellow gold indexes”. Reference 3970E with ‘champagne’ gilt dials (called ‘doré by Patek Philippe) are therefore presumed to have been fitted by request through Patek Philippe's special orders department. Comparing the present watch with another known ‘champagne’ gilt second series watch, also made in 1988 and with close movement and case numbers to the present watch, and accompanied by its original Certificate of Origin, also records the dial as being “argenté’ (silver).
Even the most exacting of collectors will savour the exclusivity of this reference 3970EJ in the certain knowledge that so few examples are known with this stunningly attractive ‘champagne’ gilt dial. An exceptional departure in appearance from the classic 3970E production model, it offers collectors the perfect opportunity to obtain what is undoubtedly one of the most distinctive of all second series 3970E.
Patek Philippe Ref. 3970
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 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 crystal back, designated reference 3971E. 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. These modern yet classic perpetual calendar chronographs have become a must-have for the discerning collector of complicated wristwatches.