When Patek Philippe introduced the reference 3940 in 1985, it marked a pivotal moment in modern watchmaking history. The reference not only heralded a new era of ultra-slim automatic perpetual calendars but also represented Philippe Stern’s vision of mechanical purity and timeless design. It was produced continuously for over two decades and is today regarded as one of the most elegant and enduring expressions of late-20th-century Patek Philippe craftsmanship.

Within this extensive production run, a handful of early variants stand out—foremost among them, the elusive doré dial examples. Instantly recognizable to connoisseurs for their golden-pink hue, these dials were produced exclusively during the first and early second series, primarily adorning references 3940J and 3941J.

Collectors regard the doré dial with reverence—not merely for its visual beauty, but also for its historical and emotional significance. Philippe Stern himself was known to wear a 3940 with such a dial as his personal watch, a symbolic reflection of the model’s importance to Patek Philippe. Beyond its association with the Stern family, the doré finish represents the romance of early production and the meticulous, artisanal finishing that defined the manufacture’s craftsmanship throughout the 1980s.

The present example is a particularly exceptional specimen of this legendary reference as it bears all the hallmarks of early-series production. Yet what truly sets it apart is not only the doré dial itself, as confirmed by the Certificate of Origin, but its completeness as a collector’s set.

Accompanied by extensive paperwork including its original Certificate of Origin, original purchase receipt, multiple brochures, hang tag, and presentation box, it offers a window into how such watches were originally delivered by Patek Philippe boutiques at the height of the brand’s late-20th-century renaissance. To encounter a doré-dial 3940J in this state of preservation and completeness is nearly unheard of; most known examples have long since been separated from their documentation, making this watch a true prize for the discerning collector.