.jpg?w=1)
Lot Essay
US$ 300,000-500,000
EUR 223,000-380,000
With Patek Philippe presentation box, Certificate of Origin, C.O.S.C. and spare solid platinum case back.
The minute repeater was believed to have been invented in the mid-1680s by an Englishman called Daniel Quare. Before the days of electricity, it allowed the wearer to tell the time in the dark. In this age of technology, minute repeaters still involve an exacting level of craftsmanship, it is often said that the maker of a minute repeater requires the ear of a musician and the hand of a surgeon.
One of the most elegant and subtle of the Patek Philippe grand complication timepieces, Reference 3939 unites the sonorous charms of a two-gong minute repeater with the gravity-defying precision of a tourbillon escapement. In keeping with its eternal style, Reference 3939 ignores the contemporary trend for larger dials, measuring 33 mm. in diameter, an achievement for such a technically sophisticated timepiece. This is also one of the few Patek Philippe references to feature an enamel dial, the lustre is accentuated on the dial by the classical custom-made, possibly unique, Breguet-style numerals and Pomme hands. In the standard model, original Breguet numerals are in applied metal.
The present watch is the only example of the celebrated reference 3939 to have appeared in public with black Breguet numerals confirmed by the original Certificate of Origin. It is believed that the owner made a special request for Patek Philippe to manufacture the current dial to make the hour markers clearer to read. The request, seldom granted by Patek, has rendered this example a true beauty and trophy for the discerning collector. Kept in near pristine condition and as complete as any collector could desire, we are honored to be offering this prized member of the modern Patek Philippe family for sale.
EUR 223,000-380,000
With Patek Philippe presentation box, Certificate of Origin, C.O.S.C. and spare solid platinum case back.
The minute repeater was believed to have been invented in the mid-1680s by an Englishman called Daniel Quare. Before the days of electricity, it allowed the wearer to tell the time in the dark. In this age of technology, minute repeaters still involve an exacting level of craftsmanship, it is often said that the maker of a minute repeater requires the ear of a musician and the hand of a surgeon.
One of the most elegant and subtle of the Patek Philippe grand complication timepieces, Reference 3939 unites the sonorous charms of a two-gong minute repeater with the gravity-defying precision of a tourbillon escapement. In keeping with its eternal style, Reference 3939 ignores the contemporary trend for larger dials, measuring 33 mm. in diameter, an achievement for such a technically sophisticated timepiece. This is also one of the few Patek Philippe references to feature an enamel dial, the lustre is accentuated on the dial by the classical custom-made, possibly unique, Breguet-style numerals and Pomme hands. In the standard model, original Breguet numerals are in applied metal.
The present watch is the only example of the celebrated reference 3939 to have appeared in public with black Breguet numerals confirmed by the original Certificate of Origin. It is believed that the owner made a special request for Patek Philippe to manufacture the current dial to make the hour markers clearer to read. The request, seldom granted by Patek, has rendered this example a true beauty and trophy for the discerning collector. Kept in near pristine condition and as complete as any collector could desire, we are honored to be offering this prized member of the modern Patek Philippe family for sale.