97th Auction
2018/5/12
Lot 305
Patek Philippe Genève, Movement No. 875355, Ref. 3970E, Cal. CH 27-70 Q, 36 mm, circa 1991
An astronomical Geneva wristwatch with chronograph, perpetual calendar, leap year indication and moon phase - with original box and brochures.
Case: 18k gold, screw back, 18k gold Patek Philippe buckle. Dial: silvered, window for day and month indication in German language.
This timepiece spent the last 25 years untouched in a safe and a layer of gold oxide has formed on the case. This is highly appreciated by collectors, it can, however, easily be removed by polishing the surface.
Ref. 3970/3971 (1986-2005) was introduced on the occasion of Patek Philippe's 150th anniversary and was intended to replace the successful model ref. 2499. It had been produced from 1951 to 1985; thanks to the explosive popularity of collecting vintage Patek Philippe wristwatches during the early 1980s, the collectors had discovered the extreme rarity and lasting value of these watches. Patek Philippe also recognized the need for a more modern design of its most prominent model - the design had only undergone minor revisions over a period of 30 years. Patek Philippe had always had a discerning and loyal clientele, but had never been a high profile brand. When affluent individuals began purchasing modern Patek Philippe wristwatches to wear and enjoy, this changed dramatically. In a successful market of the late 1980s, the ref. 3970 turned into a "best seller" for Patek Philippe. Still only very few collectors realized the true rarity of certain variations for this watch, in particular, the endless possibilities for collecting ref. 3970 by dial variation or different styled indexes and/ or hands.
An astronomical Geneva wristwatch with chronograph, perpetual calendar, leap year indication and moon phase - with original box and brochures.
Case: 18k gold, screw back, 18k gold Patek Philippe buckle. Dial: silvered, window for day and month indication in German language.
This timepiece spent the last 25 years untouched in a safe and a layer of gold oxide has formed on the case. This is highly appreciated by collectors, it can, however, easily be removed by polishing the surface.
Ref. 3970/3971 (1986-2005) was introduced on the occasion of Patek Philippe's 150th anniversary and was intended to replace the successful model ref. 2499. It had been produced from 1951 to 1985; thanks to the explosive popularity of collecting vintage Patek Philippe wristwatches during the early 1980s, the collectors had discovered the extreme rarity and lasting value of these watches. Patek Philippe also recognized the need for a more modern design of its most prominent model - the design had only undergone minor revisions over a period of 30 years. Patek Philippe had always had a discerning and loyal clientele, but had never been a high profile brand. When affluent individuals began purchasing modern Patek Philippe wristwatches to wear and enjoy, this changed dramatically. In a successful market of the late 1980s, the ref. 3970 turned into a "best seller" for Patek Philippe. Still only very few collectors realized the true rarity of certain variations for this watch, in particular, the endless possibilities for collecting ref. 3970 by dial variation or different styled indexes and/ or hands.
Sold
estimated
55.000—70.000 €
Price realized
57.100 €