Manufacturer: Patek Philippe
Year: 2002
Reference No: 3970EG-018
Movement No: 3’046’373
Case No: 4’131’095
Material: 18K white gold
Calibre: Manual, cal. 27-70 Q, 24 jewels
Bracelet/Strap: Crocodile
Clasp/Buckle: 18K white gold Patek Philippe deployant clasp
Dimensions: 36mm Diameter
Signed: Case, dial, movement, clasp, and additional caseback signed.
Accessories: Accompanied by Patek Philippe Certificate of Origin dated 2002 and confirming dial as “NOIR – HEUERES RELIEF OR – ANG”, solid caseback, setting pin, leather wallet with product literature.
Catalogue Essay
The reference 3970 was the first Patek Philippe perpetual calendar chronograph to indicate leap years, and the first to add a 24-hour indicator. Unusually, and despite the more complex mechanism within, the reference 3970 represented the first drop in size in the perpetual calendar chronograph family, from 37.5mm down to 36mm.

The reference was divided into four series: the first series featured a snap on caseback, with applied gold sword indexes and feuille hands. The second series featured a screw-down, solid caseback, with the hallmarks stamped on the outside of the lugs. The third series featured a sapphire display back along with a screw-down solid caseback, like the present example. The fourth series is identical to the 3rd series, but the movement numbering system changed.

Made in yellow, pink and white gold as well as in platinum, the present example is a highly rare example of a white gold variant fitted with a black dial with applied white gold hour markers. Most 3970s in white gold were originally born with silver, or “argenté”, dials. Fresh to the market, and with the coveted black dial confirmed on the original Certificate of Origin, only eleven examples of this combination of 3970 have appeared on the market. The slight warmth of the white gold case paired with the sleek, inky black dial is an irresistible combination, only made more desirable by the phenomenal condition of the case, with its perfectly preserved hallmarks and sharp fluting to the lugs.
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