SIGNED PATEK PHILIPPE, GENEVE, REF. 3970EG, MOVEMENT NO. 875'847, CASE NO. 2'895'989, CIRCA 1991

The present reference 3970E from the second series is distinguished by its excellent overall condition and the presence of the original accessories. The combination of the white gold case and the silvered dial render this model a particularly attractive and desirable variant. To the best of our knowledge, the present example has never been offered in public before.

Reference 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 such as the present timepiece introduced a solid screw back, designated reference 3970E. It is believed that less than 80 pieces in white gold, from which only 10 came back to the market.

In 1989, a third series of reference 3970 was launched, fitted with a solid screw back as well as an additional sapphire crystal display screw back.