Patek Philippe. A very fine and rare platinum perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch with moon phases, 24 hour and leap year indication, special order silver “reference 5004” dial with Arabic numerals, original certificate, box, additional original black dial with diamond indexes and further additional black dial with baton indexes

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Lots 141 & 142 – Patek Philippe Ref. 3970In 1986, Patek Philippe launched a new generation of the perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch, designated reference 3970, replacing the hugely successful reference 2499 (see lot 128 in this auction) in production in four different series from 1951 to 1985. The main difference in the movement was the arrival of the new Lemania base ébauche which replaced the Valjoux movement used for the previous 50 years.Starting with movement number 875'000, the first series of reference 3970 was produced with a solid snap on back, comprising approximately 100 examples. The second series introduced a solid screw back, designated reference 3970E (E for étanche, French for waterproof). A small number of watches from both series were also available with a sapphire crystal back, designated reference 3971E.In 1989, a third series of ref. 3970 was launched, fitted with a solid screw back as well as an additional sapphire crystal display screw back (see lot 142).Reference 3970 was discontinued in 2004 and replaced by reference 5970 (see lots 92 - 95 in this auction).While production of the reference 3970/3971 may have ended only twelve years ago, these modern yet classic perpetual calendar chronographs have become a must-have for the discerning collector of complicated wristwatches.Reference 3970 and calibre 27-70 Q are illustrated in Patek Philippe Wristwatches by Martin Huber & Alan Banbery, second edition, pp. 305 – 308, reference 3971 in Patek Philippe Museum - Patek Philippe Watches, Vol. II, p. 307.

Signed Patek Philippe, Genève, Ref. 3970E, movement no. 876’413, case no. 2'928'253, manufactured in 1993

Details

Patek Philippe. A very fine and rare platinum perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch with moon phases, 24 hour and leap year indication, special order silver “reference 5004” dial with Arabic numerals, original certificate, box, additional original black dial with diamond indexes and further additional black dial with baton indexes
Signed Patek Philippe, Genève, Ref. 3970E, movement no. 876’413, case no. 2'928'253, manufactured in 1993
MOVEMENT: manual, cal. CH 27-70 Q, stamped with the Geneva seal, 24 jewels
DIAL: silvered, applied white gold Arabic numerals, two apertures for English day and month, three subsidiary dials for constant seconds combined with 24 hour indication, 30 minute register combined with leap year indication and moon phases combined with date
CASE: platinum, screw back, two round chronograph buttons in the band, 36 mm. diam.
SIGNED: case, dial, movement
BUCKLE: platinum Patek Philippe buckle
ACCOMPANIED BY: Patek Philippe Certificate of Origin stamped by Gübelin Zurich and dated 10 August 1993, original black dial with diamond numerals, original moon phase disc, further additional black dial with applied baton numerals, setting pin, sales tag, Patek Philippe presentation box and outer packaging. Furthermore delivered with Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of present watch in 1993 with semi glossy black dial, 1 baguette diamond at 12 o'clock, 10 diamond hour markers and its subsequent sale on 14 April 1993

Special Notice

Many of the watches offered for sale in this catalogue are pictured with straps made of endangered or protected animal materials such as alligator or crocodile. These endangered species straps are shown for display purposes only and are not for sale. Christie’s will remove and retain the strap prior to shipment from the sale site. At some sale sites, Christie’s may, at its discretion, make the displayed endangered species strap available to the buyer of the lot free of charge if collected in person from the sale site within 1 year of the date of the sale. Please check with the department for details on a particular lot.

Lot Essay

This rare example of a reference 3970 in platinum was purchased by the actual owner at Patek Philippe’s prestigious retailer Gübelin in Zurich in 1993. At his special request, the dial was exchanged in the firm’s workshop with the present reference 5004 version with “white” moon phases, a service rendered exclusively to Gübelin’s most important clients.

The use of the silver ref. 5004 dial with Arabic numerals combined with the platinum case material renders the watch a very pleasing monochrome appearance. Naturally, the original black dial with diamond numerals mentioned on the certificate of origin is included together with the original moon phase disc and another black dial with baton numerals which could be fitted as third alternative.

The rarity of the this reference 3970 is further enhanced by its excellent, close to new overall condition, private provenance, freshness to the market and the presence of the original certificate stamped by the distinguished retailer Gübelin.

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