To commemorate the 150th anniversary of the manufacture, Patek Philippe released a series of commemorative and limited edition timepieces to celebrate the important event during a time where special editions were not as common as they are today. Among the impressive lineup of commemorative timepieces introduced including the caliber 89, Patek Philippe launched two minute repeating timepieces via the ref. 3974 further equipped with a perpetual calendar complication and the ref. 3979 such as the present timepiece featuring small seconds. Regarded as a milestone timepiece for the firm, both references featured the firm’s first self-winding minute repeating caliber with a micro-rotor, making them the very first self-winding minute repeating wristwatches by the manufacturer.

Encased in an elegant 33mm diameter round-shaped case with fancy sculpted lugs, the ref. 3979 was released in 18K yellow gold (approximately 100 examples made), white and pink gold (approximately a dozen examples made combined) and platinum (approximately a dozen examples made). Early examples of the reference featured cases made by master casemaker Jean-Pierre Hagmann featuring his initials “JHP” stamped inside the solid caseback. Later examples featured cases made by Geneva-based casemaker Atelier Reunis.

The present example Patek Philippe ref. 3979 in 18K yellow gold belongs to one of the earliest examples of the reference as it bears a case made by Jean-Pierre Hagmann identifiable via his initials stamped inside the caseback. A true collector’s timepiece, Jean-Pierre Hagmann is one of the most respective casemakers in his era reputable for making some of the most impressive minute repeating cases. Offered with its Certificate of Origin, additional solid caseback and a Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming the production of the present timepiece, the present ref. 3979 is a sight to behold.