81Σ︎
Patek Philippe
Ref. 3940G-013
A very elegant and sought-after white gold perpetual calendar automatic wristwatch with moonphases, 24-hour indication, leap year indication, certificate, additional caseback and box
Full-Cataloguing
- Perpetual calendar, 24-hour indication, leap year indication and moonphase
- One of the most elegant and wearable perpetual calendar dress watches ever made by the brand, and a symbol of the resurgence of mechanical watchmaking in the 1990s
- Preserved in excellent condition and accompanied by the original accessories
Launched in the mid-1980s, the Patek Philippe ref. 3940 is today widely considered one of the most elegant and collectible dress watches produced by the manufacture. It was introduced shortly before another extremely beloved model, the ref. 3970, illustrating just how foundational the 1980s and 1990s were not only for Patek Philippe but also for the entire watch industry. Having just emerged from the quartz crisis of the 1970s, it was during the 1980s and 1990s that the watch market began the evolution that would lead to its current status as one of the most dynamic high-end collectible segments.
The model evolved over time, with at least four distinct iterations, quickly summarized as follows: the earliest 25 specimens were fitted with numbered gilt dials made for Beyer (the so-called pre-series), followed by dials with sunken subsidiary registers (First Series). Patek Philippe then transitioned to dials with sloped registers (Second Series), later added a crosshair to the leap-year subdial (Third Series), and finally updated the typography to a more modern serif-less font (Fourth Series, the present iteration). Beyond these main categories, examples with unusual dial configurations—such as those bearing Roman numerals—are also known.
With production ceasing around 2007, the present example from 2006 represents one of the latest produced. This likely explains its remarkable state of preservation, featuring strong case proportions with minimal surface wear, a flawless dial, and the presence of its original accessories.
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.