Patek Philippe - The Geneva Watch Auction: NINE Geneva Saturday, May 11, 2019 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Patek Philippe
    Year: 2004
    Reference No: 3939
    Movement No: 1'903'073
    Case No: 2'906'875
    Material: 18K yellow gold
    Calibre: Manual, cal. RTO 27 PS, 28 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Leather
    Clasp/Buckle: 18K yellow gold Patek Philippe buckle
    Dimensions: 33mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by Patek Philippe Certificate of Origin dated 3 January 2005, Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres Watch Rate Certificate, additional case back, product literature, instruction manual, leather wallet, fitted presentation box and outer packaging

  • Catalogue Essay

    First launched in 1993, reference 3939 is one of Patek Philippe's most iconic and important models ever produced. Elegant and subtle, it captures the spirit of the Genevan watchmaker through its technical mastery, combining a minute repeating mechanism with a tourbillon complication - all housed within the confines of a 33 millimeter case. It furthermore boasts a beautiful enamel dial with Breguet numerals. Assembling a minute repeater typically requires 200 to 300 hours of work, and the gongs display a rich, deep yet delicate resonance that Patek Philippe is best known for.

    Most notably, the present watch is a later series example, as it is fitted with a larger crown intended to prevent overwinding the mechanism.

    Preserved in excellent condition, the watch furthermore repeats in phase with a beautiful tone and clarity. It is complete with an additional caseback, Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres Watch Rate Certificate and Original certificate, stating the watch was sold at Beyer Chronometrie on 2 January, 2005.

  • Artist Biography

    Patek Philippe

    Swiss • 1839

    Since 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.

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Ref. 3939
A rare and attractive yellow gold minute repeating tourbillon wristwatch with original certificate, chronometer certificate, additional caseback and presentation box, retailed at Beyer Chronometrie Zürich

2004
33mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement and buckle signed

Estimate
CHF160,000 - 250,000 
€143,000-223,000
$161,000-252,000

Sold for CHF231,250

Contact Specialist
Alexandre Ghotbi
Head of Sale
+ 41 79 637 1724
aghotbi@phillips.com

The Geneva Watch Auction: NINE

Geneva Auction 11-12 May 2019