Important Watches Online
Important Watches Online
Patek Philippe
Reference 3970G | A white gold perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch with moon phases, leap year and 24-hour indication | Circa 1988
Lot Closed
November 10, 12:16 PM GMT
Estimate
60,000 - 90,000 CHF
Lot Details
Description
Patek Philippe
Reference 3970G
A white gold perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch with moon phases, leap year and 24-hour indication
Circa 1988
Dial: silvered
Calibre: cal. 27-70 manual winding, 24 jewels
Movement number: 875'348
Case: 18k white gold, screw-down sapphire crystal display case back
Case number: 2'857'985
Closure: 18k white gold Patek Philippe buckle
Size: 36 mm diameter
Signed: case, dial and movement
Box: no
Papers: no
Accessories: none
Ref. 3970 was created following the success of the exceptional and iconic Ref. 2499. The design of the case of Ref. 3970, with its down-turned, fluted lugs, is clearly influenced by the form of the Ref. 2499. One main difference between the two models is the addition of the leap year indicator to the 3 o'clock subsidiary dial and 24-hour indicator to the 9 o'clock subsidiary dial. Patek Philippe first launched the Ref. 3970 in 1986 with a snap on case back. Two years into production, Patek Philippe modified the design to a screw-down water resistant type case back.
Cased in white gold, the present lot has developed a striking and unusual patina caused by the impurities in 18k white gold oxidizing. This happens over a long period and does not often build up in the same fashion, unless left latent in a cold dark space, often that of a safe or secure deposit box.