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Lot Essay
Reference 3979 was launched in 1989 to celebrate Patek Philippe's 150th anniversary and only around 100 examples were ever produced. The production of the model started with the movement number 1’904’000, therefore this watch is the forty-seventh example of a reference 3979 ever to be made.
The Dial
Enhancing both the prestige and aesthetic appeal of the present watch is the superbly discreet white enamel dial, with only a handful of reference 3979 are known with such dial. The highest level of craftsmanship is necessary to create a dial of the standard required for such an important and mechanically advanced Patek Philippe reference.
The Case
The case of the present watch was made by Patek Philippe’s in-house casemaker, Ateliers Rèunis S.A. (master casemaker’s mark 28 in a key).
Reference 3979
One of the most important wristwatches ever made in series by Patek Philippe, reference 3979 was launched in 1989 to celebrate the house’s 150th anniversary. Not only is this watch the first ever automatic minute repeater to be produced by Patek, but it was also discontinued shortly after in 1998. As a result, finding examples in today’s market is always a significant and exciting discovery.
The reference is fitted with the ingeniously designed Calibre R 27 PS, which impresses with its small, but incredibly intricate design. Although the case is only 33.4 mm. in diameter, the movement nevertheless manages to contain 342 parts, including a micro-rotor and minute repeating mechanism. This is a horological feat that few manufactures in the industry can achieve, attesting to the level of skill and innovation belonging to the watchmakers at Patek Philippe.
The case of reference 3979 is remarkably handsome and well sized. With its elegance and quiet sophistication, coupled with its unmatched level of technological innovation, there is perhaps no other watch that better highlights the essence of Patek Philippe.
The Dial
Enhancing both the prestige and aesthetic appeal of the present watch is the superbly discreet white enamel dial, with only a handful of reference 3979 are known with such dial. The highest level of craftsmanship is necessary to create a dial of the standard required for such an important and mechanically advanced Patek Philippe reference.
The Case
The case of the present watch was made by Patek Philippe’s in-house casemaker, Ateliers Rèunis S.A. (master casemaker’s mark 28 in a key).
Reference 3979
One of the most important wristwatches ever made in series by Patek Philippe, reference 3979 was launched in 1989 to celebrate the house’s 150th anniversary. Not only is this watch the first ever automatic minute repeater to be produced by Patek, but it was also discontinued shortly after in 1998. As a result, finding examples in today’s market is always a significant and exciting discovery.
The reference is fitted with the ingeniously designed Calibre R 27 PS, which impresses with its small, but incredibly intricate design. Although the case is only 33.4 mm. in diameter, the movement nevertheless manages to contain 342 parts, including a micro-rotor and minute repeating mechanism. This is a horological feat that few manufactures in the industry can achieve, attesting to the level of skill and innovation belonging to the watchmakers at Patek Philippe.
The case of reference 3979 is remarkably handsome and well sized. With its elegance and quiet sophistication, coupled with its unmatched level of technological innovation, there is perhaps no other watch that better highlights the essence of Patek Philippe.