Originally sold at The Geneva Watch Auction: THREE (May, 2016), the present example ref. 3974 in yellow gold that PHILLIPS is extremely excited to offer for the second time at auction. Preserved and kept in the same way as it was offered before, the present example features an extremely rare possibly unique glossy black lacquer dial with an interesting and never seen before configuration.
The most notable feature is with no doubt the Calatrava cross logo under the signature at 12 o’clock, while regular examples of the reference does not feature it. Another attractive point is its applied gold Breguet numerals that are always a rare and desirable configuration for complicated Patek Philippe wristwatches matching beautifully with the hue of the case. Regular examples are fitted with baton-style indexes. The hands on the present example are also different as its features elegant feuille (leaf) hands compared to dauphine hands in most examples.
Furthermore, a keen eye may notice the difference in the fonts used for this present example especially for its date registers in italic. Possibly unique, this was most likely a special request from a VIP customer of Patek Philippe who wished to create a special version of one of the most important Patek Philippe references for himself. To the best of our knowledge, the offered timepiece is the only Patek Philippe "Grand Complication" with such a dial configuration known to the market.
Being the most important, rare and desirable example in yellow gold to ever appear at auction, the present example possibly unique Patek Philippe ref. 3974 is a stellar example that will surely excite discerned collectors of important Patek Philippe timepieces.
For more information about this watch (Lot 886), please visit our online catalogue