92
Patek Philippe
Ref. 3940J
"Doré Dial"
A superbly rare perpetual calendar wristwatch with champagne dial, certificate of origin and box
Full-Cataloguing
- Perpetual calendar with rare doré dial
- Only about 10 "non Beyer" doré dials known
- With original Certificate of Origin
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 featuring a doré/champagne colored dial and individually numbered on said dial.
The present example is particularly distinguished by its yellow-gold case and exceptionally attractive doré dial, a combination seldom encountered among reference 3940 examples. The warm, gilded tone of the dial lends an additional richness to the otherwise sober design, beautifully complementing the yellow-gold case and highlighting the finely printed indications and applied gold accents.
The reference 3940 was produced over several series during its approximately two-decade production run, with numerous variations in case metal, dial configuration and execution. While examples in yellow gold with conventional silvered dials are known, those fitted with the highly sought-after Doré configuration are considerably scarcer and have become increasingly appreciated by collectors for their distinctive aesthetic and rarity.
Production numbers remain speculative, but consensus suggests that very few doré dials were made for the early 3940s (exclusively in the first and early second series), including those bearing the Beyer retailer signature. It’s even been suggested that more of the first run of 25 Beyer-signed pieces featured the doré dial than unsigned examples. Either way, the total doré-dial population across all early-series 3940s and 3941s likely numbers fewer than 25 to 30 watches.
Combining one of Patek Philippe’s most important perpetual calendar movements with the unmistakable elegance of the reference 3940 case, the present watch represents a particularly refined expression of this landmark model. Its unusual doré dial further elevates it above the standard examples, making it an appealing proposition for the discerning collector of important Patek Philippe perpetual calendars.
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.