Patek Philippe - The Geneva Watch Auction: XIV Geneva Friday, November 5, 2021 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Patek Philippe
    Year: 1990
    Reference No: 3971
    Movement No: 875'556
    Case No: 2'856'566
    Material: 18K yellow gold
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 27-70CHQ, 24 jewels, stamped with the Geneva Seal
    Bracelet/Strap: Leather
    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 stamped by Geneva Patek Philippe Boutique and dated May 16, 1990, setting pin, product literature, leather wallet, fitted presentation box and outer packaging.

  • Catalogue Essay

    First released in 1986 as the replacement of reference 2499, Patek Philippe reference 3971 (and its solid case back sibling ref. 3970) is a sort of “trait d’union” between the vintage and modern production of the company. Aesthetically, it presents many similarities to its predecessor (such as its pump-style pushers and down turned stepped lugs). The movement, however, features remarkable technical upgrades compared to what we find in ref. 2499: abandoning the Valjoux ébauche for a - heavily modified - Nouvelle Lemania one, the model also provides information about the leap year and day/night cycles, extremely useful when setting the watch.

    The reference features one of the most peculiar evolutions for a Patek Philippe model, most likely due to the fact that the 1990s were a time of changes in watchmaking - they were in fact the beginning of the Renaissance of mechanical watchmaking which is in full bloom nowadays.

    Originally, the two models were released with snap on case back (first series) but very soon, the screw down back was introduced.

    Second series pieces, such as the present one, thus present screw back and maintain the “first series” dial configuration, featuring “feuille” hands and rectangular markers.

    With the third series, a merging of the two references takes place: ref. 3971 disappears and only ref. 3970 is left, offered with both solid and glazed back (except for the platinum version). The dial configuration as well changes: the hands are baton (also seen on last examples of second series), and the numerals are not perfectly rectangular anymore, but rather feature a small “arrow” pointing to the center (lapidated indexes).

    While the output of the model was at the beginning relatively low, it ramped up by the end of the production run. Consequently, early examples are much more scarce than later specimens.
    An additional layer of intellectual - and aesthetic as well - interest is given by the fact that early pieces such as the present one feature four hallmarks to the outer sides of the lugs, a very unusual placement which was abandoned mid-production probably because the location is very sensitive to rubbing (another hypothesis is that clients remarked that they did not like to see the hallmarks on the lugs).

    Offered in extremely appealing condition and complete with the original accessories, the present second series 3971 is a superb representative of this historical model.

  • 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. 3971
An early and scarce yellow gold perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch with moonphases, 24-hour indication, Certificate and box

1990
36mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement and buckle signed

Estimate
CHF70,000 - 140,000 
€65,200-130,000
$75,600-151,000

Sold for CHF113,400

Contact Specialist

Alexandre Ghotbi
Head of Watches, Continental Europe and the Middle East Director
AGhotbi@phillips.com

The Geneva Watch Auction: XIV

Geneva Auction 5 & 7 November 2021