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Lot Essay
The present reference 3940 is a well-preserved white gold second-series example. According to research, approximately 560 pieces of the reference 3940 second series were produced in this metal, making white gold examples notably rarer than their yellow gold counterparts.
Reference 3940
Unquestionably one of Patek Philippe's greatest modern classics, Reference 3940 is the quintessential perpetual calendar, distinguished by its elegant proportions and timeless elegance. It was the thinnest automatic perpetual calendar wristwatch ever made when it was first released in 1984 as the replacement for the reference 3450. The model went into regular production after an initial run of about 100 pieces was produced between 1984 and 1985. The 3940 was manufactured in three additional, distinct series until it was discontinued in 2007 and replaced by reference 5140.
The dial's execution is where the main design changes between the early and later series occur. While later series, such as the present timepiece, use bevelled sub-dials, which give the display a slightly more architectural character, early examples have sunken subsidiary dials. Similarly, the leap-year indicator changed from being a simple aperture to one that had quarter-separations. A smaller Patek Philippe signature with the word 'Swiss' printed beneath the beaded minute track is seen on earlier models while later models incorporate the 'Swiss' designation into the minute ring itself. The nuances are also present in the placement and size of the signature.
Reference 3940
Unquestionably one of Patek Philippe's greatest modern classics, Reference 3940 is the quintessential perpetual calendar, distinguished by its elegant proportions and timeless elegance. It was the thinnest automatic perpetual calendar wristwatch ever made when it was first released in 1984 as the replacement for the reference 3450. The model went into regular production after an initial run of about 100 pieces was produced between 1984 and 1985. The 3940 was manufactured in three additional, distinct series until it was discontinued in 2007 and replaced by reference 5140.
The dial's execution is where the main design changes between the early and later series occur. While later series, such as the present timepiece, use bevelled sub-dials, which give the display a slightly more architectural character, early examples have sunken subsidiary dials. Similarly, the leap-year indicator changed from being a simple aperture to one that had quarter-separations. A smaller Patek Philippe signature with the word 'Swiss' printed beneath the beaded minute track is seen on earlier models while later models incorporate the 'Swiss' designation into the minute ring itself. The nuances are also present in the placement and size of the signature.