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Lot Essay
This superb factory single-sealed example of the incredibly rare platinum reference 3970EP-048 immediately recalls the special order pieces of almost identical specification that were made for famous watch collectors such as Eric Clapton and Michael Ovitz. The present watch is, to the best of our knowledge, only the second example of this reference to appear at auction. The ravishing black dial features a Breguet numeral at 12 o'clock and a tachymeter scale. Only accessible to Patek Philippe’s most loyal and long-standing clients, special order 3970s such as the present watch were made after official production of the reference had ended in 2004. Enthusiasts and discerning collectors will appreciate the exclusivity of this great modern Patek Philippe single-sealed 3970 in the certain knowledge that no other person outside Patek Philippe has ever handled or worn this watch.
Sold to the present owner in 2009, it predates by six years the similar 3970 that was only available as part of the famous ‘Saatchi’ London Exhibition limited edition model of 5 pieces in platinum, the black dial of the present watch presents a completely different aesthetic, not only by the black colour but also with the applied dot indexes and single Breguet numeral at 12 o’clock. This highly appealing departure in appearance from the 3970 production model offers collectors the opportunity to obtain what is undoubtedly one of the most ultra-exclusive of special order 3970s.
PATEK PHILIPPE SEALED WATCHES
Original factory ‘Single-Sealed’ and ‘Double-Sealed’ Patek Philippe wristwatches are becoming an increasingly rare phenomenon in today’s market. Indeed, since 1st July 2017 Patek Philippe has specifically forbidden their boutiques and network of authorised dealers to supply its watches to customers either ‘single-sealed’ inside the original plastic factory sleeve, or ‘double-sealed’ with the additional outer cardboard shipping box. Subsequently, only watches that were purchased before that date and have been preserved ever since completely unopened by their owners can still exist as ‘single-sealed’ or ‘double-sealed’. Naturally, over the years, a great many factory sealed watches have been unsealed by their new owners, particularly the high complication and special edition timepieces which have hardly ever remained factory sealed until the present day.
Patek Philippe Ref. 3970
In 1986, Patek Philippe launched a new generation of the perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch, designated reference 3970, replacing the hugely successful reference 2499 in production in four different series from 1951 to 1985. The main difference in the movement was the arrival of the new Lemania based 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. Reference 3970 was discontinued in 2004 and replaced by reference 5970. These modern yet classic perpetual calendar chronographs have become a must-have for the discerning collector of complicated wristwatches.
Literature
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.
Sold to the present owner in 2009, it predates by six years the similar 3970 that was only available as part of the famous ‘Saatchi’ London Exhibition limited edition model of 5 pieces in platinum, the black dial of the present watch presents a completely different aesthetic, not only by the black colour but also with the applied dot indexes and single Breguet numeral at 12 o’clock. This highly appealing departure in appearance from the 3970 production model offers collectors the opportunity to obtain what is undoubtedly one of the most ultra-exclusive of special order 3970s.
PATEK PHILIPPE SEALED WATCHES
Original factory ‘Single-Sealed’ and ‘Double-Sealed’ Patek Philippe wristwatches are becoming an increasingly rare phenomenon in today’s market. Indeed, since 1st July 2017 Patek Philippe has specifically forbidden their boutiques and network of authorised dealers to supply its watches to customers either ‘single-sealed’ inside the original plastic factory sleeve, or ‘double-sealed’ with the additional outer cardboard shipping box. Subsequently, only watches that were purchased before that date and have been preserved ever since completely unopened by their owners can still exist as ‘single-sealed’ or ‘double-sealed’. Naturally, over the years, a great many factory sealed watches have been unsealed by their new owners, particularly the high complication and special edition timepieces which have hardly ever remained factory sealed until the present day.
Patek Philippe Ref. 3970
In 1986, Patek Philippe launched a new generation of the perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch, designated reference 3970, replacing the hugely successful reference 2499 in production in four different series from 1951 to 1985. The main difference in the movement was the arrival of the new Lemania based 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. Reference 3970 was discontinued in 2004 and replaced by reference 5970. These modern yet classic perpetual calendar chronographs have become a must-have for the discerning collector of complicated wristwatches.
Literature
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.