Patek Philippe - The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XI Hong Kong Saturday, November 28, 2020 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Patek Philippe
    Year: 1989
    Reference No: 3979
    Movement No: 1’904’007
    Case No: 2’865’077
    Material: 18K yellow gold
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. R27 PS aut., 39 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Crocodile
    Clasp/Buckle: 18K yellow gold Patek Philippe pin buckle
    Dimensions: 33mm diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by Patek Philippe Certificate of Origin dated 19th October 1989 stamped Garrard & Co Ltd, London, additional solid caseback and leather folio. Further delivered with a Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming its date of production of the present timepiece in 1989 and its subsequent date of sale on 4th September 1989.

  • Catalogue Essay

    To commemorate the 150th anniversary of the manufacture, Patek Philippe released a series of commemorative and limited edition timepieces to celebrate the important event during a time where special editions were not as common as they are today. Among the impressive lineup of commemorative timepieces introduced including the caliber 89, Patek Philippe launched two minute repeating timepieces via the ref. 3974 further equipped with a perpetual calendar complication and the ref. 3979 such as the present timepiece featuring small seconds. Regarded as a milestone timepiece for the firm, both references featured the firm’s first self-winding minute repeating caliber with a micro-rotor, making them the very first self-winding minute repeating wristwatches by the manufacturer.

    Encased in an elegant 33mm diameter round-shaped case with fancy sculpted lugs, the ref. 3979 was released in 18K yellow gold (approximately 100 examples made), white and pink gold (approximately a dozen examples made combined) and platinum (approximately a dozen examples made). Early examples of the reference featured cases made by master casemaker Jean-Pierre Hagmann featuring his initials “JHP” stamped inside the solid caseback. Later examples featured cases made by Geneva-based casemaker Atelier Reunis.

    The present example Patek Philippe ref. 3979 in 18K yellow gold belongs to one of the earliest examples of the reference as it bears a case made by Jean-Pierre Hagmann identifiable via his initials stamped inside the caseback. A true collector’s timepiece, Jean-Pierre Hagmann is one of the most respective casemakers in his era reputable for making some of the most impressive minute repeating cases. Offered with its Certificate of Origin, additional solid caseback and a Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming the production of the present timepiece, the present ref. 3979 is a sight to behold.

  • 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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Σ922

Ref. 3979
A very fine, impressive and rare yellow gold minute repeating wristwatch with small seconds, white “porcelain” dial, additional solid caseback and Certificate of Origin, made to commemorate the 150th Anniversary of Patek Philippe

1989
33mm diameter
Case, dial, movement and buckle signed

Estimate
HK$1,550,000 - 2,500,000 
€167,000-269,000
$199,000-321,000

Sold for HK$1,764,000

Contact Specialist

Thomas Perazzi

Head of Watches, Asia
+852 2318 2001

WatchesHK@phillips.com

The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XI

Hong Kong Auction 29 November 2020