25Σ︎
Patek Philippe
Ref. 3940
Perpetual Calendar "First Series, Beyer"
An extremely rare, well-preserved, and important perpetual calendar wristwatch with champagne dial, certificate of origin, setting pin, and presentation box, retailed by Beyer Chronométrie, numbered 20 of a limited edition of 25 pieces
Full-Cataloguing
• One of the first 25 reference 3940s numbered 20 of limited edition of 25 pieces
• Ultra-rare doré or champagne dial originally retailed by Beyer Chronométrie with English calendar
• Well-preserved, complete set
Patek Philippe’s reference 3940 was released in 1985 as a replacement to the reference 3450 with a newly designed modern case. Powered by the all-new, ultra-thin caliber 240, Patek Philippe’s first movement to use a micro-rotor, it enabled an elegant and very thin case that fit tightly to the wrist. In production for over two decades, the reference 3940 was a smashing success, and appealed to a new generation of enthusiasts who wanted to advance beyond their fathers’ timepieces. The wristwatch was encased predominately in yellow gold, with fewer examples in pink and white gold, and very rarely in platinum.
In 1985, the first 25 3940s were produced to celebrate the 225th anniversary of the famed retailer, Chronometrie Beyer, in Zürich with numbered watches. That same year, the brand began standard production of the reference and continued to produce it until 2007 when they replaced the 3940 with the reference 5140 powered by the same caliber 240 movement, but with a case measuring 37mm in diameter.
The Beyer 3940s were distinguished by a stunning champagne dial, produced in 15 examples with German calendar and 10 examples with English calendars. It is said that Mr. Stern found the dial to be beautiful and wore a champagne dial 3940 daily, attesting to the beauty of the model. These first series perpetual calendar’s solid gold case backs were engraved “Patek-Philippe No. 770020 Fabriquée pour le 225ème anniversaire de Beyer à Zürich 1760-1985”.
Accompanied with its original certificate of origin and letter in German signed by Theodore Beyer, Phillips is honored to present this well-preserved and complete example, offered publicly for the first time in nearly a decade.
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.