Patek Philippe - The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XII Hong Kong Saturday, June 5, 2021 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Patek Philippe
    Year: 1992
    Reference No: 3974R
    Movement No: 1’906’087
    Case No: 2’867’103
    Material: 18K pink gold
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. R27Q, 39 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Crocodile
    Clasp/Buckle: 18K pink gold Patek Philippe pin buckle
    Dimensions: 36mm diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement, additional caseback and buckle signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by Patek Philippe Certificate of Origin stamped by The Hour Glass Ltd, additional solid case back, setting pin, leather folio, instruction manual, product literature, presentation box and outer packaging. Further delivered with Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming its date of production in 1992 and its subsequent date of sale on 25th June 1993.
    Literature: Patek Philippe Museum, Patek Philippe Watches- Volume 2, p. 317-323

  • Catalogue Essay

    In 1989, Patek Philippe celebrated their 150th anniversary by launching one of the world’s most complicated wristwatch at the time, the reference 3974. This historical timepiece is the maison’s first serially produced automatic self-winding wristwatch with two of the most cherished complications amongst collectors, a minute repeater and a perpetual calendar housed into one. The only predecessors known are the ref. 541 made in 1939 and ref. 3621 in 1988, both one-of-a-kind pieces made specially for Mr. Philippe Stern himself.

    The movement beating in the heart of this masterpiece is Patek Philippe’s caliber R27Q, an impressively thin movement measuring just 6.8mm, comprised of 467 components. Starting from the very first example in yellow gold with the movement number 1’906’000, one of which that has a permanent place in the Patek Philippe Museum, the present lot baring the number 1’906’087 is the 88th model to be produced.

    It is cased in the equally stunning creation by the legendary casemaker of the 20th century, Jean-Pierre Hagmann. Originally trained as a jeweller and renown in producing watch cases notably minute repeater cases for Patek Philippe, works of Mr. Hagmann is the indicator of top-tier case quality. Today, the "JHP" seal speaks volumes and have become fabled among collectors.

    Extremely limited and discontinued in 2000 to make way for the technological advancement of the firm, ref. 5016 with an additional tourbillon escapement and retrograde calendar. The ref. 3974 had a production timeline of 13 years, only an estimated 120 examples were ever made, in fact only an approximate of 20 pieces were cased in pink gold according to scholars.

    It is believed that only 5 examples in 18K pink gold are publicly known to the market.

    Movement No. Sold in Auction Dial Configuration
    1’906’076 April 12th 2003 Anthracite dial with Breguet numerals
    1’906’078 June 25th 2010 Silvered Gold dial with baton indexes
    1’906’086 March 15th 2006 Silvered Gold dial with baton indexes
    1’906’087 November 29th 2007 Silvered Gold dial with baton indexes
    1’906’091 March 28th 2007 Silvered Gold dial with baton indexes


    Previously sold in Hong Kong in 2007, perfect and in unspoiled condition after 13 years, Phillips is honoured to offer the present pink gold variant to collectors. With all four hallmarks stamped still present behind the lugs, and accompanied with its original Certificate of origin, additional sealed solid caseback and complete accessories. It is assuredly an extraordinary opportunity for any watch connoisseur.

  • 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.

    View More Works

Σ852

Ref. 3974R
An impressive, and very rare pink gold minute repeating perpetual calendar wristwatch with English calendar, moon phases, 24-hour, leap year indication, additional solid caseback, Certificate of Origin and presentation box

1992
36mm diameter
Case, dial, movement, additional caseback and buckle signed

Estimate
HK$3,875,000 - 7,750,000 
€412,000-824,000
$497,000-994,000

Sold for HK$9,325,000

Contact Specialist

Thomas Perazzi
Head of Watches, Asia
+852 2318 2001
WatchesHK@phillips.com

The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XII

Hong Kong Auctions 5-6 June 2021