178
Patek Philippe
Ref. 3990P
A highly rare and extremely attractive platinum and diamond-set perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch with moon phases and original certificate
Full-Cataloguing
- Perpetual Calendar Chronograph with diamond set bezel and indexes
- Only known in platinum and grey dial
Patek Philippe’s reference 3990 is such an elusive model that only 17 pieces have ever come to market and the present example in platinum with grey dial is the only one known in this configuration.
In production from approximately 1995 to 2005, reference 3990 is virtually identical to the celebrated reference 3970E, with the addition of a diamond-set bezel and matching dial. The model is Patek Philippe's first perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch to feature a diamond-set bezel, setting the design codes for its successor reference 5971. Reference 3990 was cased in yellow gold, pink gold, white gold, and in platinum. Like its sibling reference 3970, it was fitted with a Lemania-based movement.
The reference hardly ever appears on the market, having been produced in exceedingly low numbers, in fact the present example is only the 2nd to be offered at Phillips Watches.
The present example, cased in platinum, features diamond-set numerals and a baguette diamond bezel, totaling 2.77 carats in total. The grey dial contrasts wonderfully against the diamond markers and lustrous white tones of the platinum case. Luminous hands furthermore give the watch an incredibly modern appearance that collectors and scholars love - a feature that is often requested, but not necessarily granted, on modern Patek Philippe special order watches today.
Interestingly the sides if the bezel have been opened as to let light through and as such intensify the shine of the diamonds.
Preserved in overall excellent condition the present reference 3990 is one of only 17 known ref 3990s to have come to auction market (regardless of metal/dial combination) and the only one known in platinum with grey dial.
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.