Patek Philippe - Hong Kong Watch Auction: THREE Hong Kong Monday, November 28, 2016 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Patek Philippe
    Year: 1989
    Reference No: 3971
    Movement No: 875'400
    Case No: 2'856'537
    Material: 18k yellow gold
    Calibre: Mechanical, 27-70, 24 jewels
    Clasp/Buckle: 18k yellow gold Patek Philippe buckle
    Dimensions: 36 mm. diameter
    Signed: Case, dial and movement signed
    Accessories: With Patek Philippe Certificate of Origin dated 26 October 1989, additional case back, product literature, instruction manual and leather wallet. Furthermore delivered with Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch in 1989 and its subsequent sale on 4 September 1989.

  • Catalogue Essay

    Reference 3971, featuring a sapphire case back, was launched in 1986 alongside its sibling reference 3970. Early examples of reference 3971 featured sapphire snap on backs, rather than the traditional screw down case back.

    This particular example is in excellent condition, with strong fluting to the lugs and the Patek Philippe case maker stamp, number 28 in the key Poinçon de Maître, punched to the side of the lug. This case maker mark, punched to the lug, is a defining feature of the rare reference. Most exceptional is the presence of the original certificate and case back, further enhancing the present watch and its desirability.

  • 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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Σ1008

Ref. 3971
A fine and very rare yellow gold perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch with moon phases, 24 hours, leap year indicator, sapphire crystal case back, original certificate and additional case back

1989
36 mm. diameter
Case, dial and movement signed

Estimate
HK$640,000 - 1,200,000 
€75,100-141,000
$80,000-150,000

Sold for HK$750,000

Hong Kong Watch Auction: THREE

Hong Kong Auction 29 November 2016