Manufacturer: Patek Philippe Year: 1988 Reference No: 3941 Movement No: 770'689 Case No: 2'839'385 Model Name: "Beyer" Material: 18K white gold Calibre: Automatic, cal. 240Q, 27 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Leather Clasp/Buckle: 18K white gold Patek Philippe buckle Dimensions: 36mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed. Accessories: Accompanied by Certificate of Origin stamped Chronometrié Beyer and dated July 15th,1988, further accompanied by Extract from the Archives confirming the production of the present timepiece in 1987 and its subsequent sale on September 25th, 1987.
Catalogue Essay
In 1985 Patek Philippe introduced their new perpetual calendars references 3940 and 3941. Featuring an elegant and slim stepped case, the timepiece presents a decidedly more "modern" and less angular appearance than its predecessor, reference 3450.
Reference 3940 and 3941 distinguished themselves mainly through one unique difference, that being the caseback. Reference 3940 features a solid case back whereas reference 3941 is fitted with a glazed display back, like the present example. Interestingly, these caseback are un-numbered, hence Patek Philippe applying the numbers inside the case underneath the bezel. With an increasing demand for both casebacks, Patek Philippe later produced the model with both case back options subsequently ceasing production of the reference 3941 in in 1990 as there was no longer a difference between the two models. The short production run definitely contributed to the existence of only very few examples, with research suggesting that only 35 models of this reference are known to date.
Highly complicated and visually striking, the timepiece is made alive thanks to the ultra-thin automatic perpetual calendar movement caliber 240Q. A triumph of micro-engineering from Patek Philippe, it was one of the smallest and thinnest movements on the market at the time coming with a Geneva seal.
In excellent overall condition and accompanied by its original Certificate of Origin, the present Patek Philippe reference 3941 is a unique opportunity to own not only a very rare reference, but also one of Patek Philippe’s very early modern perpetual calendars.
To the best of our knowledge the present watch is the only known reference 3941 with Beyer dial to come on the market.
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.
Ref. 3941 A fine, elegant and very rare white gold perpetual calendar wristwatch with leap year indicator, moonphases, 24 hours, sapphire caseback and certificate retailed by Beyer Chronomètrie
1988 36mm Diameter Case, dial, movement and buckle signed.