.jpg?w=1)
.jpg?w=1)
.jpg?w=1)
.jpg?w=1)
Lot Essay
One of the most important perpetual calendars in Patek Philippe's modern history, reference 3940 was introduced in 1985 and remained in production until 2007. Celebrated for its understated elegance and exceptional technical refinement, the model has become an icon among collectors. Its reputation is further enhanced by the fact that Philippe Stern, then President of Patek Philippe, famously chose reference 3940 as his personal daily watch, a testament to its perfect balance of comfort, sophistication, and horological excellence.
The present timepiece belongs to the early third series of the model. It is powered by the ultra-thin calibre 240⁄114, an updated evolution of the celebrated calibre 240 Q. Bearing a movement number beginning with the digits 3'12X'XXX, it belongs to the later production of the reference and features the beautifully decorated 22K gold micro-rotor engraved with the Calatrava Cross, a characteristic introduced from the third series onwards.
Interestingly, the watch exhibits several transitional characteristics. While its movement identifies it as a third-series example, the case retains second-series features, notably the precious metal hallmarks stamped on the left case flank rather than behind the lugs. Likewise, the dial follows the second-series layout, with the 'σ Swiss σ' signature positioned beneath the minute track, yet the typography of the subsidiary registers adopts the cleaner, more modern sans-serif style associated with the third series. These subtle details suggest that the present watch was produced during the transition between the second and third series, making it a particularly fascinating example of the evolution of reference 3940.
Reference 3940
Introduced during the mid-1980s, at a time when the revival of traditional mechanical watchmaking was only just beginning, reference 3940 marked a defining moment in the renaissance of high horology. Presented alongside its sister model, the perpetual calendar chronograph reference 3970, it demonstrated Patek Philippe's unwavering commitment to complicated wristwatches in the quartz era.
Thanks to the legendary calibre 240 Q with its ultra-thin 22K gold micro-rotor, the watch measured only 9 mm in thickness, setting a new standard for elegant perpetual calendar wristwatches. Over more than two decades of production, the reference evolved through three distinct dial series together with a number of highly unusual variants, firmly establishing the 3940 as one of the manufacture's most enduring and influential perpetual calendars and a benchmark for timeless, wearable complication.
The present timepiece belongs to the early third series of the model. It is powered by the ultra-thin calibre 240⁄114, an updated evolution of the celebrated calibre 240 Q. Bearing a movement number beginning with the digits 3'12X'XXX, it belongs to the later production of the reference and features the beautifully decorated 22K gold micro-rotor engraved with the Calatrava Cross, a characteristic introduced from the third series onwards.
Interestingly, the watch exhibits several transitional characteristics. While its movement identifies it as a third-series example, the case retains second-series features, notably the precious metal hallmarks stamped on the left case flank rather than behind the lugs. Likewise, the dial follows the second-series layout, with the 'σ Swiss σ' signature positioned beneath the minute track, yet the typography of the subsidiary registers adopts the cleaner, more modern sans-serif style associated with the third series. These subtle details suggest that the present watch was produced during the transition between the second and third series, making it a particularly fascinating example of the evolution of reference 3940.
Reference 3940
Introduced during the mid-1980s, at a time when the revival of traditional mechanical watchmaking was only just beginning, reference 3940 marked a defining moment in the renaissance of high horology. Presented alongside its sister model, the perpetual calendar chronograph reference 3970, it demonstrated Patek Philippe's unwavering commitment to complicated wristwatches in the quartz era.
Thanks to the legendary calibre 240 Q with its ultra-thin 22K gold micro-rotor, the watch measured only 9 mm in thickness, setting a new standard for elegant perpetual calendar wristwatches. Over more than two decades of production, the reference evolved through three distinct dial series together with a number of highly unusual variants, firmly establishing the 3940 as one of the manufacture's most enduring and influential perpetual calendars and a benchmark for timeless, wearable complication.