Patek Philippe - The New York Watch Auction: SEVEN New York Saturday, December 10, 2022 | Phillips

Create your first list.

Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.

  • 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

16

Ref. 3970EG-018
An extraordinarily rare, elegant, and extremely well-preserved white gold perpetual calendar wristwatch with black dial, leap-year indicator, moon phase, additional solid caseback, setting pin, and Certificate of Origin, one of only 11 known

2002
36mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement, clasp, and additional caseback signed.

Estimate
$70,000 - 140,000 
CHF66,600-133,000
€67,500-135,000
HK$548,000-1,100,000
S$96,000-192,000

Sold for $182,700

Contact Specialist

Paul Boutros

Head of Watches, Americas

+1 (212) 940-1293

WatchesNY@Phillips.com

 

Isabella Proia

Head of Sale, New York

+1 (212) 940 1285

iproia@phillips.com

 

The New York Watch Auction: SEVEN

New York Auction 10 - 11 December 2022