Important Watches I
Important Watches I
Patek Philippe
Reference 3970 | A yellow gold perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch with moon phases, 24 hours and leap year indication, Circa 1998 | 百達翡麗 | 型號3970 | 黃金萬年曆計時腕錶，備月相、24小時及閏年顯示，約1998年製
Auction Closed
October 7, 06:41 AM GMT
Estimate
800,000 - 1,600,000 HKD
Lot Details
Description
Patek Philippe
Reference 3970
A yellow gold perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch with moon phases, 24 hours and leap year indication, Circa 1998
百達翡麗
型號3970
黃金萬年曆計時腕錶，備月相、24小時及閏年顯示，約1998年製
Dial: champagne
Calibre: cal. CH 27'70Q mechanical, 24 jewels
Movement number: 3'045'268
Case: 18k yellow gold, screw down sapphire crystal display back
Case number: 2'953'449
Closure: black Patek Philippe alligator strap and 18k yellow gold folding clasp
Size: 36 mm diameter
Signed: case, dial and movement
Accessories: Patek Philippe Certificate of Origin, additional case back, setting pin, instruction manual and presentation box
附帶證書、備用錶背蓋、調校筆、說明書及盒子
Launched in 1986, reference 3970 was Patek Philippe’s third perpetual calendar chronograph made in series, and the successor to the iconic 2499. The model remained in production for nearly two decades, available in white, yellow, and pink gold, as well as platinum, with various dial options. Setting it apart from its predecessor, the watch features a slightly smaller 36 mm case and incorporates a leap year indication, the first perpetual calendar chronograph to do so.
The first series of the 3970 featured a solid snap-on case back and was later replaced by reference 3970E like the current example, which features an updated screw-down case back, with the suffix indicating étanche, or waterproof. This fourth series 3970 boasts a beautiful champagne dial, and is accompanied by its full suite accessories including an additional case back, a deployant buckle, and a Certificate of Origin. The certificate confirms that the watch was sold by Chronometre Beyer on July 14, 1998, adding a touch of historical significance to this remarkable timepiece.