One of the most cherished complications available today is the perpetual calendar, and Patek Philippe has a history producing some of the finest known, first in pocket watches, and in later in wristwatches. Today, the brand is known for their line of perpetual calendar wristwatches beginning with the reference 1526, the first serially produced perpetual calendar watch from 1941, followed by the elegant 2497 the first perpetual calendar with center seconds from the 1950s, to the iconic reference 3448 released in 1962 as the first automatic perpetual calendar and in 1981 the 3450 – Patek Philippe’s first model featuring a leap year indicator. The reference 3940 was released in 1985 as a replacement to the reference 3450 with a newly designed modern case, which was less angular than its predecessors. At the time of manufacture, it was among one of Patek Philippe's longest running references ever produced, ceasing production in approximately 2007. The reference was cased like the present watch predominantly in yellow gold, as well as pink gold, white gold and very rarely and exclusively, in platinum.

The present example is fitted with an early second series dial, with beveled sunken sub-dials, a low 'Sigma' indication', and no segmentation of the leap year. 3940s with these dial types still bear the solid caseback seen on the first series, as seen in this example."

Preserved in very good overall condition, this reference 3940 is sure to please any collector, offering an excellent opportunity to own a classic perpetual calendar timepiece.

PROPERTY OF THE FAMILY OF THE ORIGINAL OWNER