Seen on the wrist of Mr. Philippe Stern, the Patek Philippe ref. 3940 is undeniably one of the most iconic perpetual calendar references manufactured by the firm. Launched in 1985 replacing its former ref. 3450, the legendary “Padellone”, the ref. 3940 features a rather classic Calatrava-style case with extremely clean proportions and dial layout equipped for the first time with a micro-rotor. Launched in four metals, yellow gold, pink gold, white gold and platinum, the reference was offered in a total of three series with its production spanning until 2007. The reference was first produced for famed retailer Chronometrie Beyer in Zürich in a limited edition of 25 pieces to celebrate its 225th anniversary, each individually numbered bearing the Beyer signature on the dial.

The present example Patek Philippe ref. 3940 in yellow gold with a 770 thousand movement number from 1986 confirmed by an Extract from the Archives issued by Patek Philippe belongs to the rare and desirable first series. While most examples were fitted with silver dials, the present example with a gold champagne dial is certainly rare. With its distinctive traits confirming the present example to be one of the earliest, the dial features sunken registers that are consistent with other examples from the respective series, furthermore, it is also equipped with a solid caseback, with later examples featuring a transparent display caseback.