Patek Philippe - The Geneva Watch Auction: XVII Geneva Saturday, May 13, 2023 | Phillips

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    • Manufacturer: Patek Philippe
      Year: 1985
      Reference No: 3940 dial further signed "No. 10"
      Movement No: 770'010
      Case No: 2'817'887
      Material: 18K yellow gold
      Calibre: Automatic, cal. 240Q, 27 jewels
      Bracelet/Strap: Original alligator Patek Philippe strap
      Clasp/Buckle: 18K yellow gold Patek Philippe pin buckle
      Dimensions: 36mm Diameter
      Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed
      Accessories: Accompanied by Patek Philippe Certificate of Origin dated October 11, 1985 with Beyer retailer stamp confirming doré dial, 225 years of Beyer product literature, setting pin, additional product literature, special box inscribed "Beyer 1760-1985" and outer packaging.

    • Catalogue Essay

      Reference 3940 is one of the most iconic models that Patek Philippe ever produced. Launched in 1985 under the tutelage of Mr. Philippe Stern, it marked a design shift for the manufacture's perpetual calendar models. No longer sharp and elongated, the case transformed into a tonneau-shaped Calatrava-style design.

      Beyond being a stellar example of a reference 3940 with its original certificate, what sets this timepiece apart is the fact that is numbered 10 of the first 25 examples were specially made for the 225th anniversary of Chronométrie Beyer, and displays a champagne dial signed Beyer with the individual number at 6 o'clock. Mr. Stern himself donned a reference 3940 with champagne dial, attesting to the beauty of this exact model. Most notably, the dial of the present example is in German (research shows that 15 were made with a German dial and 10 with an English dial). Like other first series examples, this watch also has a solid caseback, which is engraved "Patek Philippe No 770010 Fabriquée pour le 225ème anniversaire de Beyer à Zurich 1760-1985".

      Consigned by the original Swiss owner, it most impressively is accompanied by its certificate of origin stating the preset watch is numbered 10 and confirming the doré dial and presentation box inscribed "Beyer 1760-1985".

    • 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. 3940 dial further signed "No. 10"
An extremely rare, important and attractive limited edition perpetual calendar wristwatch with champagne dial, certificate of origin and presentation box, retailed by Beyer Chronométrie and numbered 10 of limited edition of 25 pieces

1985
36mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement and buckle signed

Full Cataloguing

Estimate
CHF60,000 - 120,000 
€62,500-125,000
$68,500-137,000

Sold for CHF292,100

Contact Specialist

Alexandre Ghotbi
Head of Watches, Continental Europe and the Middle East

+41 79 637 17 24
AGhotbi@phillips.com

Tiffany To
Head of Sale, Geneva

+41 79 460 55 88
TiffanyTo@phillips.com

The Geneva Watch Auction: XVII

Geneva Auction 13 - 14 May 2023