803Σ︎
Patek Philippe
Ref. 3940R-011, Third Series
A rare and attractive pink gold perpetual calendar wristwatch with moon phases, leap year, 24-hour indication, Certificate of Origin, additional solid caseback, setting pin and presentation box
Full-Cataloguing
- Third Series dial
- Updated ultra-thin self-winding movement, the cal. 240/114
- Strong patina at the 24-hour subdial
- Offered by the original owner
- Full set of accessories including the solid caseback and setting pin
Spanning from 1985 to 2007, the reference 3940 enjoyed one of the longer production runs in Patek Philippe's history. Over its two-decade lifespan, subtle design evolutions emerged, leading collectors to categorize the reference into three distinct series. While the dial layouts of the Second and Third Series share immediate visual similarities, close inspection confirms the present watch as a Third Series reference 3940. Retaining key traits of late Second Series dials, the "σ Swiss σ" signature on this Third Series dial is shifted slightly upward to sit "in-line" with the minute track, while the sub-dial typography adopts a cleaner, modern sans-serif font.
Circa 2006, this reference 3940 belongs to one of the very final production batches. Cased in classic 18K pink gold, it displays clear hallmarks on the back of the lugs—a key distinguishing feature of the final series. Featuring a movement serial beginning with "3'12X'XXX", it is fitted with a 22K gold micro-rotor decorated with the Calatrava Cross, a detail exclusive to the Third Series.
The watch is further paired with an 18k pink gold deployant clasp, standard for late-series examples.
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.