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Patek Philippe
Ref. 3970E
A highly collectible and extremely rare platinum perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch with moonphases, leap year indication, 24-hour indication, Arabic numerals and fitted box
Full-Cataloguing
- Perpetual calendar, chronograph, moonphases, leap year indication, 24-hour indication
- Special order platinum example featuring an exceptionally rare Arabic numerals dial, sourced from ref. 5004
- The model 3970 is by now considered an ultimate collecting icon for the brand
Patek Philippe is widely regarded as the pioneer in the field of perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatches, having been the first manufacturer in the world to introduce this groundbreaking complication with the legendary reference 1518 in the late 1940s. A few years later, the firm followed up with the iconic reference 2499, a model that collectors have since dubbed "the perfect wristwatch." In 1986, Patek Philippe retired the reference 2499 and introduced its successor, the reference 3970, adopting the newly developed calibre CH 27-70 Q — based on a Lemania ébauche and extensively reworked in-house — in place of the Valjoux-based caliber of earlier models. The reference also introduced a slightly smaller, more contemporary 36mm case.
Produced for almost two decades, the 3970 was made in yellow, pink and white gold, as well as platinum. In recent years, collectors have increasingly rediscovered the importance of this landmark model, which has become more and more difficult to source. There are tiers within 3970 collecting, however, with the most in-demand examples generally belonging to two categories: early pieces, or special order examples — such as the present one.
While the standard 3970 dial features baton or faceted indexes, the present example features applied Arabic numerals — a configuration standard for the model's split-second evolution, ref. 5004, but never offered for the 3970 itself. To the seasoned collector, a glance at this watch might prove uncanny, as if meeting an acquaintance without being entirely sure it's them.
The present example is further distinguished by its platinum case and sapphire display caseback. The hand-wound calibre CH 27-70 Q displays the perpetual calendar, moon phases and leap-year indication alongside the chronograph. Accompanied by its fitted box, this 3970E is a particularly rare expression of one of Patek Philippe's most important modern perpetual calendar chronographs — one that, fittingly, remains playfully reminiscent of its split-second sibling.
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.