Bonhams 1793 : Patek Philippe. A fine and rare 18ct rose gold perpetual calendar chronograph manual wind bracelet watch with moon phase Ref:3970/002, Case No.2870022, Movement No.875739, Sold in 1991

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27 Nov 2011 6 p.m. Hong Kong, Island Shangri-La Hotel
Modern Wristwatches
Auction 19628

1375

Patek Philippe. A fine and rare 18ct rose gold perpetual calendar chronograph manual wind bracelet watch with moon phase

Ref:3970/002, Case No.2870022, Movement No.875739, Sold in 1991
24-jewel Cal. CH27-70Q movement adjusted to temperature, isochronism and position, stamped with the Geneva Seal, free sprung Gyromax balance, silvery opaline white dial, applied rose gold baton numerals, rose gold feuille hands, apertures for days and months, subsidiary dials for running small seconds with 24 hours recording, 30-minute register with leap year indicator, date with moonphases, brushed case and polished case, screw down case back, concave bezel, two chronograph buttons in the band, fluted lugs, fitted integrated smooth link 18ct rose gold Patek Philippe bracelet and folding clasp, together with fitted box, Certificate of Origin, instruction papers, swing tag and setting tool, case, dial, and movement signed 36mm.

Sold for HK$ 836,000 inc. premium

Footnotes

百達翡麗 18K玫瑰金男裝萬年曆月相手動上弦計時碼表售於1991年

Patek Philippe commenced production of the modern classic perpetual calendar chronograph Ref:3970 in 1986, as a successor to the much lauded Ref:2499. Ref:3970 comprises a total of four series, which were created in succession until 2004. Less than 100 pieces were produced of the 1st series. Beginning with the movement number 875000, these were chiefly produced in yellow gold with a solid snap-on back. The 2nd series, which was made between 1989 and 1996, also had a 36 mm sized case, applied gold baton hour markers but a screw down case back. The third series provided the option of solid or sapphire crystal screw-down case backs and the letter 'E' after the reference, signifying the French word étanche for waterproof. The 4th and final series, such as this present lot, was similar to the 3rd, but with deployant clasps and seven digit movement numbers beginning with 304. The earliest examples of the first series of Ref. 3970 had a gold bracelet fixed to the traditional case, such as found in this example; subsequently a detachable bracelet was used. Whilst the earlier pieces had feuille hands, the later ones had bâton hands although the exact date of this change is undetermined. Although the same calibre is used for the entire reference, it is generally acknowledged that the earlier serial numbers are more desirable. Production of Ref:3970 ceased in 2005 and it was the inspiration for the Ref:5970.

The 3970/2 is extremely rare and to our knowledge, less than five examples in rose gold have appeared on the auction market. Reference 3970/2 is illustrated in Patek Philippe Wristwatches by O. Patrizzi, Vol. II, Plate 1129.