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Lot Essay
With Patek Philippe Certificate or Origin and Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch with silvery opaline-white dial and white gold indexes in 1990 and its subsequent sale on 13 November 1990. Furthermore delivered with solid 18K white gold screw back numbered 2'857'986.
Reference 3970 has seen in its two decade long life many developments and changes and still today one is surprised when discovering its mysteries.
Originally, when launched in 1985, reference 3970 had a solid snap on back. Shortly later the screw back was added when it was renamed 3970E (E for étanche or waterproof). Following the demand of collectors to admire the beautiful movement, Patek Philippe launched in parallel a version fitted with a glazed screw back, reference 3971E. Soon after the two references were merged and since then all references 3970 were fitted with both types of case back.
The present white gold 3971E however does not fit into the above scholarship as it features both backs, a contradiction by definition. It is furthermore the only known reference 3971E in white gold to have appeared in public to date.
Offered for sale by a distinguished European collector, completed with its original certificate, this clean and well-preserved white gold reference 3971E is a treasure for the connoisseur who understands the rarity and future potential of this probably special order piece.
Reference 3970 has seen in its two decade long life many developments and changes and still today one is surprised when discovering its mysteries.
Originally, when launched in 1985, reference 3970 had a solid snap on back. Shortly later the screw back was added when it was renamed 3970E (E for étanche or waterproof). Following the demand of collectors to admire the beautiful movement, Patek Philippe launched in parallel a version fitted with a glazed screw back, reference 3971E. Soon after the two references were merged and since then all references 3970 were fitted with both types of case back.
The present white gold 3971E however does not fit into the above scholarship as it features both backs, a contradiction by definition. It is furthermore the only known reference 3971E in white gold to have appeared in public to date.
Offered for sale by a distinguished European collector, completed with its original certificate, this clean and well-preserved white gold reference 3971E is a treasure for the connoisseur who understands the rarity and future potential of this probably special order piece.