Patek Philippe - The Geneva Watch Auction: SIX Geneva Friday, November 10, 2017 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Patek Philippe
    Year: 2007
    Reference No: 3970
    Movement No: 3'049'041
    Case No: 4'225'361
    Material: 18K pink gold
    Calibre: Manual, cal. CH 27-70 Q, 24 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Leather
    Clasp/Buckle: 18K pink gold Patek Philippe folding deployant clasp
    Dimensions: 36mm. Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and clasp signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by Patek Philippe Certificate of Origin dated June 11, 2008, additional numbered case back, setting pin, portfolio photograph of the present watch and fitted presentation box. Furthermore delivered with Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch with tachymeter scale and Breguet numeral at 12 o'clock in 2007 and its subsequent sale on June 10, 2008.

  • Catalogue Essay

    The present watch is an exceedingly rare example of reference 3970. In lieu of an opaline-white dial, it has a silvered dial printed with a tachymeter scale, furthermore applied with a Breguet numeral at 12 o'clock. These elements give the classic reference 3970 an instant vintage appearance and touch of style. Such watches were always made upon special order for the firm's most distinguished clients.

    Only Patek Philippe's most distinguished customers, such as Mr. Eric Clapton, had the privilege of being granted such watches. In fact, these "special order" 3970s were produced after the reference officially ceased production.

    The winner of 18 Grammy Awards, a three-time inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, a Commander of the British Empire, Mr. Clapton is also a connoisseur of art, watches and sports cars. His impeccable taste is well-known among the collecting community. The sale of one of his most notable watches, a platinum reference 2499, set a world record auction price for the reference at the time.

    Launched in 1986 and in production until approximately 2004, reference 3970 replaced reference 2499. Both models shared certain features such as pump pushers and down turned stepped lugs. It replaced the Valjoux movement of its predecessors with a heavily modified Lemania 2310 ébauche dubbed CH 27-70Q. Furthermore, two new indications were added to reference 3970, a leap year indication and a 24 hour hand.

    Reference 3970 underwent three significant transformations. While the first series featured a snap on caseback, the second series displayed baton markers, feuille hands and a screw back. It was produced concurrently with reference 3971 which had a snap on sapphire back. Finally the third series merged references 3970 and 3971 and offered both sapphire and solid screw-down case backs.

  • 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. 3970
An extremely fine and highly rare pink gold perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch with moonphases, silvered tachymeter dial, Breguet numeral at 12 o'clock, original certificate, additional case back and fitted presentation box, formerly in the collection of Eric Clapton, CBE

2007
36mm. Diameter
Case, dial, movement and clasp signed

Estimate
CHF160,000 - 260,000 
€138,000-224,000
$165,000-269,000

Sold for CHF366,500

Contact Specialist
Alexandre Ghotbi
+41 22 317 81 89
aghotbi@phillips.com

The Geneva Watch Auction: SIX

Geneva Auctions 11 - 12 November 2017