Some watches seem to have long been an object of admiration by collectors – pieces that are admired by the old guard and new wave alike, with the Patek Philippe reference 3970 is one of them. Replacing the legendary reference 2499, the reference 3970 was launched in 1986 with a new, modified Lemania-based ébauche as opposed to the previous Valjoux movement. While maintaining the signature aesthetics found in both reference 1518 and 2499, the reference 3970 also included a leap year and 24-hour indication for the first time. The reference was produced in yellow gold, pink gold, white gold and platinum across a total of four series with production spanning over 19 years, until 2004. It is estimated that throughout its course of production over 4,000 examples of the reference were produced.

-First series (1986 – 1988) – Features a snap back case, feuille hands and rectangular indexes. Only produced in yellow gold with an estimated 100 examples produced.
-Second series (1987 – 1990) – Features a solid screw back case “E – Etanche”, feuille hands and baton indexes with the hallmarks stamped on the outside of the lugs. Produced in all four case materials with an estimated 450 examples produced across all metals.
-Third series (1989 – 1995) – Features a solid screw back case “E – Etanche” with an extra sapphire caseback, baton hands and lapidated indexes. Estimated 1,350 examples produced across all metals.
-Fourth series (1994 – 2004) – Same configuration as the third series however the is a change in serial number ranges in the movement and case and from 1997 onwards it features deployant clasp. Estimated 2,000 examples produced across all four metals. (The present example)

Manufactured in 2002, the present lot is part of the 4th series with an additional solid caseback and a seven-digit movement and case number. Fresh to the auction market, the present lot is a superb example of Patek Philippe’s famous reference 3970, and amongst the finest examples one could hope to acquire. It should be noted that while the watch is currently mounted with a silver dial, the Certificate of Origin states a black dial - most probably a mistake made at the manufacture during the point of sale, or a change upon special request from the owner.