Ref. 3970/2A superb, immensely attractive and equally scarce platinum chronograph wristwatch with perpetual calendar, moonphases, leap year indication, 24-hour indication, additional salmon dial with diamond-set indexes and integrated bracelet
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, Ref. 3970/2
A superb, immensely attractive and equally scarce platinum chronograph wristwatch with perpetual calendar, moonphases, leap year indication, 24-hour indication, additional salmon dial with diamond-set indexes and integrated bracelet, 1994
36mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed Condition Report
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Manufacturer
:
Patek Philippe
Year
:
1994
Reference No
:
3970/2
Movement No
:
876'851
Case No
:
2'953'571
Material
:
Platinum
Calibre
:
Manual, cal. 27-70 Q, 24 jewels, stamped with the Geneva Seal
Bracelet/Strap
:
Platinum Patek Philippe integrated bracelet, max length 205mm
Clasp/Buckle
:
Platinum Patek Philippe textured clasp
Dimensions
:
36mm Diameter
Signed
:
Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed
Accessories
:
Accompanied by Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch with silvered dial in 1994 and its subsequent sale on September 19, 1994, Patek Philippe service documents dated October 27, 2009 confirming that "a dial supplied by the client was mounted on the watch", F.lli Pisa (Patek Philippe retailer in Milan) fiscal receipt of 1090EUR, additional salmon dial.
Catalogue Essay
Replacing the legendary reference 2499, the reference 3970 was launched in 1986 with a new, modified Lemania-based ébauche as opposed to the previous Valjoux movement. While maintaining the signature aesthetics found in both reference 1518 and 2499, the reference 3970 also included a leap year and 24-hour indication for the first time. The reference was produced in yellow gold, pink gold, white gold and platinum across a total of four series with production spanning over 19 years, until 2004.
While the majority of the production features a leather strap - a very restricted amount was modified by adding an integrated bracelet. So pervasive is the modification to the aesthetics of the pieces that a modified reference was chosen for these masterpieces: ref. 3970/2 (potentially one of the first instances of a “/“ after the reference designating the presence of the bracelet - now a standard of the “Patek code”). These pieces were reserved for the most esteemed clients of the brand so much so that the output is ridiculously small: a handful are known, while the total production of ref 3970 is estimated to be around 4000 pieces.
While any platinum example of 3970/2 is to be considered one of the pinnacles of Patek Philippe neovintage production, the present specimen ups the ante with the presence of an additional salmon dial with diamond indexes which grants the watch an absolutely incredible appeal when mounted. Furthermore, the dial has not been fitted on the watch by a random watchmaker, but most likely by Patek Philippe itself: during a service in October 2009 - as confirmed by the documentation accompanying the watch - Patek Philippe mounted a “dial supplied by the client” on the timepiece, which we believe it to be the stunning salmon one presently accompanying the watch.
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Artist Biography
Patek Philippe
Swiss
• 1839
Since its founding in 1839, this famous Geneva-based firm has been surprising its clientele with superbly crafted timepieces fitted with watchmaking's most prestigious complications. Traditional and conservative designs are found across Patek Philippe's watches made throughout their history — the utmost in understated elegance.
Well-known for the Graves Supercomplication — a highly complicated pocket watch that was the world’s most complicated watch for 50 years — this family-owned brand has earned a reputation of excellence around the world. Patek's complicated vintage watches hold the highest number of world records for results achieved at auction compared with any other brand. For collectors, key models include the reference 1518, the world's first serially produced perpetual calendar chronograph, and its successor, the reference 2499. Other famous models include perpetual calendars such as the ref. 1526, ref. 3448 and 3450, chronographs such as the reference 130, 530 and 1463, as well as reference 1436 and 1563 split seconds chronographs. Patek is also well-known for their classically styled, time-only "Calatrava" dress watches, and the "Nautilus," an iconic luxury sports watch first introduced in 1976 as the reference 3700 that is still in production today.
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Ref. 3970/2
A superb, immensely attractive and equally scarce platinum chronograph wristwatch with perpetual calendar, moonphases, leap year indication, 24-hour indication, additional salmon dial with diamond-set indexes and integrated bracelet
