1046
Patek Philippe
Ref. 3970E
A very fine and rare pink gold perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch with moon phases, leap year and 24-hour indication, Certificate of Origin, additional solid caseback, setting pin and presentation box
- Estimate
- HK$640,000 - 1,280,000€72,600 - 145,000$82,100 - 164,000
- Manufacturer
- Patek Philippe
- Year
- Circa 1991
- Reference No
- 3970E
- Movement No
- 875’948
- Case No
- 2’881’802
- Material
- 18K pink gold
- Calibre
- Manual, cal. CH27-70 Q, 24 jewels
- Bracelet/Strap
- Leather
- Clasp/Buckle
- 18K pink gold Patek Philippe deployant clasp
- Dimensions
- 36mm diameter
- Signed
- Case, dial, movement and clasp signed
- Accessories
- Accompanied by Patek Philippe Certificate of Origin stamped Rhone Products (UK) Limited dated December 1991, additional solid caseback, setting pin, leather folio, travel pouch, fitted presentation box and outer packaging.
Catalogue Essay
The second series, produced from 1987 to 1990, is increasingly sought after by collectors of the 3970. This series features a sapphire screw-down caseback marked "E – Etanche", feuille hands, and squared baton hour markers. Notably, the font within the day and month windows matches that of the subdials, showcasing subtle flourishes and serifs. With an estimated 450 pieces produced across all four case materials, yellow gold is predominant, while pink gold examples are exceedingly rare in the market and at auctions.
Fresh to the market, the present pink gold reference 3970 featuring a second series dial is possibly one of the a last transitional example towards the third series production. It is complete with its Certificate of Origin from 1991, an additional solid caseback, a setting pin, and the original presentation box.
Patek Philippe
Swiss | 1839Since its founding in 1839, this famous Geneva-based firm has been surprising its clientele with superbly crafted timepieces fitted with watchmaking's most prestigious complications. Traditional and conservative designs are found across Patek Philippe's watches made throughout their history — the utmost in understated elegance.
Well-known for the Graves Supercomplication — a highly complicated pocket watch that was the world’s most complicated watch for 50 years — this family-owned brand has earned a reputation of excellence around the world. Patek's complicated vintage watches hold the highest number of world records for results achieved at auction compared with any other brand. For collectors, key models include the reference 1518, the world's first serially produced perpetual calendar chronograph, and its successor, the reference 2499. Other famous models include perpetual calendars such as the ref. 1526, ref. 3448 and 3450, chronographs such as the reference 130, 530 and 1463, as well as reference 1436 and 1563 split seconds chronographs. Patek is also well-known for their classically styled, time-only "Calatrava" dress watches, and the "Nautilus," an iconic luxury sports watch first introduced in 1976 as the reference 3700 that is still in production today.