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Lot Essay
One of the most important wristwatches ever made in series by Patek Philippe, the 3979 was launched in 1989 to celebrate Patek Philippe's 150th anniversary, and is the legitimate successor of the highly coveted reference 2524/1. Production of reference 3979 was discontinued and to find examples in today's market is a significant discovery.
According to research only 100 examples were ever produced. It is fitted with the ingenious caliber R 27 PS which impresses not only by its remarkable number of 342 parts but also by Patek Philippe's masterly performance of combining a micro-rotor and a minute repeating mechanism in a proportionally small 12''' movement. This is one of the few watches made with an enamel dial that is more commonly found in the tradition of pocket watches.
The case is stamped to the inside with the initials JPH, for Jean-Pierre Hagmann. Originally trained as a jeweler, Jean-Pierre Hagmann set up his own company in 1984, specializing in the manufacture of custom-made high quality watch cases. He worked for several of the world's most famous watch manufactures, notably Patek Philippe, to whom he supplied amongst others cases for references 3974, 3979 and 5029, all models of the firm's "Grand Complication" series.
The case of the present watch is remarkably handsome and well sized. Furthermore the case is full in its proportions and the hallmarks to the back of the lugs are crisp. Its appearance is modern with a white enamel dial and platinum case where the painted black Roman numerals are clear and legible. Ultimately, it's refined elegance highlights the essence of Patek Philippe.
The model is illustrated in Patek Philippe Wristwatches by Martin Huber & Alan Banbery, second edition, p. 320.
According to research only 100 examples were ever produced. It is fitted with the ingenious caliber R 27 PS which impresses not only by its remarkable number of 342 parts but also by Patek Philippe's masterly performance of combining a micro-rotor and a minute repeating mechanism in a proportionally small 12''' movement. This is one of the few watches made with an enamel dial that is more commonly found in the tradition of pocket watches.
The case is stamped to the inside with the initials JPH, for Jean-Pierre Hagmann. Originally trained as a jeweler, Jean-Pierre Hagmann set up his own company in 1984, specializing in the manufacture of custom-made high quality watch cases. He worked for several of the world's most famous watch manufactures, notably Patek Philippe, to whom he supplied amongst others cases for references 3974, 3979 and 5029, all models of the firm's "Grand Complication" series.
The case of the present watch is remarkably handsome and well sized. Furthermore the case is full in its proportions and the hallmarks to the back of the lugs are crisp. Its appearance is modern with a white enamel dial and platinum case where the painted black Roman numerals are clear and legible. Ultimately, it's refined elegance highlights the essence of Patek Philippe.
The model is illustrated in Patek Philippe Wristwatches by Martin Huber & Alan Banbery, second edition, p. 320.