Footnotes

• 百達翡麗 罕有PT950鉑金男裝萬年曆、月相手動上弦計時碼錶 售於2001年
  
  When the Reference 3970 was first made, Patek Philippe would upon special request allow a customer to order a custom dial such as this present example. The dial changes were normally after the original sale and this resulted in some interesting and extremely rare case and dial combinations. The 3970 is now considered a very desirable classic. Examples with rare dial combinations, such as this present lot, are highly prized for the discerning collector.
  
  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, made between 1989 and 1996, also has a 36 mm sized case, applied gold baton hour markers but a screw down case back. The third series provides 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 is similar to the 3rd, but with deployant clasps and seven digit movement numbers beginning with 304. Whilst the earlier pieces has feuille hands, the later ones has 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 is the inspiration for the Ref:5970.

Category: Clocks and Watches / Watches