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

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  • Manufacturer: Patek Philippe
    Year: 1987
    Reference No: 3940
    Movement No: 770’889
    Case No: 2’841’407
    Material: 18K yellow gold
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 240Q, 27 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Crocodile
    Clasp/Buckle: 18K yellow gold Patek Philippe buckle
    Dimensions: 36mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by a Patek Philippe setting pin. Further accompanied by Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch in 1987 and its subsequent sale on January 15th, 1988.

  • Catalogue Essay

    One of the most cherished complications available today is the perpetual calendar, and Patek Philippe has a history producing some of the finest known, first in pocket watches, and in later in wristwatches. Today, the brand is known for their line of perpetual calendar wristwatches beginning with the reference 1526, the first serially produced perpetual calendar watch from 1941, followed by the elegant 2497 the first perpetual calendar with center seconds from the 1950s, to the iconic reference 3448 released in 1962 as the first automatic perpetual calendar and in 1981 the 3450 – Patek Philippe’s first model featuring a leap year indicator. The reference 3940 was released in 1985 as a replacement to the reference 3450 with a newly designed modern case, which was less angular than its predecessors. At the time of manufacture, it was among one of Patek Philippe's longest running references ever produced, ceasing production in approximately 2007. The reference was cased like the present watch predominantly in yellow gold, as well as pink gold, white gold and very rarely and exclusively, in platinum.

    The present example is fitted with an early second series dial, with beveled sunken sub-dials, a low 'Sigma' indication', and no segmentation of the leap year. 3940s with these dial types still bear the solid caseback seen on the first series, as seen in this example."

    Preserved in very good overall condition, this reference 3940 is sure to please any collector, offering an excellent opportunity to own a classic perpetual calendar timepiece.

    PROPERTY OF THE FAMILY OF THE ORIGINAL OWNER

  • 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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Σ6

Ref. 3940
A fine and attractive yellow gold perpetual calendar wristwatch with moon phase, 24-hour, and leap year indications

1987
36mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement and buckle signed

Estimate
$20,000 - 40,000 
CHF19,000-38,000
€19,300-38,700
HK$157,000-313,000
S$27,500-55,100

Sold for $44,100

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