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Lot Essay
With Patek Philippe Certificate of Origin, second solid case back, literature, leather pouch and winding box. Furthermore delivered with Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch with silvered dial, 12 applied yellow gold indexes in 1986 and its subsequent sale on 18 August 1986.
This example of reference 3940 is offered by the original owner, fresh to the market, in excellent condition, and it is sold with all its accessories. It is commonly understood that reference 3940 was produced in three series (and a few early examples, like the Beyer versions). The first series (1985-1988, movement nos: from 770'100) with stepped sunken subdials and no divisions inside the leap year indicator, the second (1988-1998, movement nos. from 771'000) with beveled sunken subdials and leap year indicator divided in quarters, delivered with an additional case back (excluded the platinum version), and the last series (1998-2007, movement nos. from 3'123'000) with the updated calibre 240 114Q.
This timepiece, however, does not fit into any of these series: the movement and case numbers and the date of production fall into the range of first series production, but the presence of the second case back and the dial design are elements belonging to the second series. There is no trace of dial exchange in the Patek Philippe Archives, and the company is known for never making additional case backs after the delivery of a timepiece, so it is safe to assume the watch left the factory in this condition. Consequently it can be considered a very early transitional model between first and second series. A true hidden gem for the connoisseur who can understand its rarity, collectability and potential for the future.
This example of reference 3940 is offered by the original owner, fresh to the market, in excellent condition, and it is sold with all its accessories. It is commonly understood that reference 3940 was produced in three series (and a few early examples, like the Beyer versions). The first series (1985-1988, movement nos: from 770'100) with stepped sunken subdials and no divisions inside the leap year indicator, the second (1988-1998, movement nos. from 771'000) with beveled sunken subdials and leap year indicator divided in quarters, delivered with an additional case back (excluded the platinum version), and the last series (1998-2007, movement nos. from 3'123'000) with the updated calibre 240 114Q.
This timepiece, however, does not fit into any of these series: the movement and case numbers and the date of production fall into the range of first series production, but the presence of the second case back and the dial design are elements belonging to the second series. There is no trace of dial exchange in the Patek Philippe Archives, and the company is known for never making additional case backs after the delivery of a timepiece, so it is safe to assume the watch left the factory in this condition. Consequently it can be considered a very early transitional model between first and second series. A true hidden gem for the connoisseur who can understand its rarity, collectability and potential for the future.