Patek Philippe

Introduced in 1985, the Patek Philippe Reference 3940 quickly became one of the brand's most iconic perpetual calendar watches, embodying the essence of fine Swiss watchmaking. Produced for over two decades until it was succeeded by Reference 5140 in 2006, the Ref. 3940 stands as a cornerstone of Patek Philippe's modern era and remains one of the most revered perpetual calendars in the brand's illustrious history.

At the heart of the Ref. 3940 lies the Caliber 240 Q, an ultra-thin self-winding movement equipped with a micro-rotor—a revolutionary feature at the time of its introduction. This exceptional movement powers a sophisticated perpetual calendar complication that displays the day, date, month, leap year, and moon phases, all of which automatically adjust to account for varying month lengths and leap years. Renowned for its precision and reliability, the Caliber 240 Q showcases Patek Philippe's commitment to exquisite craftsmanship, featuring Geneva stripes, polished bevels, and a finely engraved 22k gold rotor.

The initial production of the Ref. 3940 included a special series of 25 pieces created to celebrate the 225th anniversary of the esteemed retailer Beyer. These exclusive models featured a distinctive gilt dial, a design element rarely seen in subsequent versions of this reference.

Scholars and collectors have categorized the Ref. 3940 production into four distinct series:

• First Series: Characterized by sunken subsidiary dials, a solid case back, and a smaller, shorter signature with a grave accent on "GENÈVE." Approximately 1,300 pieces were produced in this series.

• Second Series: Notable for its beveled subsidiary dials and a larger signature, offering a subtle evolution from the inaugural design.

• Third Series: Introduced a cross to separate the leap year indication, enhancing the dial's readability and aesthetic balance.

• Fourth Series: Featured the "σ SWISS σ" inscription aligned with the minute track, the removal of serifs from the typography, and hallmarks repositioned to the back of the lugs for a cleaner profile.

Such was the enduring admiration for the Ref. 3940 that Patek Philippe revived it for the 2015 Watch Art Grand Exhibition in London, producing a limited series with previously unseen dial colors to commemorate the event. This timeless design also served as inspiration for the Advanced Research Reference 5550.

We are honored to offer two extraordinary examples of this exceptional reference: a beautiful specimen from the first series and an extremely rare iteration featuring the coveted gilt dial. This represents a rare opportunity to acquire outstanding examples of one of Patek Philippe's most celebrated perpetual calendar watches.