Patek Philippe - The New York Watch Auction: XI New York Saturday, December 7, 2024 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Patek Philippe
    Year: 2012
    Reference No: 3670A-001
    Movement No: 869’234
    Case No: 4’494’095
    Material: Stainless steel
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 13''130 CH, 25 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Leather
    Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Patek Philippe pin buckle
    Dimensions: 37mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by Limited Edition attestation, Patek Philippe Certificate of Origin dated April 23rd, 2012, large leather folio with history of the present watch.

  • Catalogue Essay

    Reference 3670 stands as one of the rarest, most elusive, and most sought-after modern Patek Philippe wristwatches, with a story as rich in mystery as it is in history. In 1996, as Patek Philippe prepared to relocate its workshops from the historic rue du Rhône to Plan-les-Ouates, an astonishing discovery was made. Hidden on the fifth floor was an old wooden chest containing 16 vintage chronograph movements, caliber 13-130, meticulously assembled and adjusted in 1955.

    The caliber 13-130 had long been a hallmark of Patek Philippe's chronographs, gracing iconic models such as references 130 and 1463, to name a few. To commemorate this remarkable find, Patek Philippe made the bold decision to disassemble and reassemble these 16 movements, encasing them in stainless steel cushion cases reminiscent of 1920s chronographs. The discovery of these unused movements was nothing short of extraordinary, but housing them in stainless steel was an audacious and unprecedented choice for the brand. Apart from the split-seconds chronograph reference 5950 or the ultra-rare perpetual calendar split-seconds reference 5004A, Patek Philippe seldom used stainless steel for their high-end timepieces, reserving the material for charity events or unique pieces.

    The creation of a limited series stainless steel chronograph with an original vintage movement was a daring move, igniting immediate excitement among collectors. Each watch was adorned with a grey dial, lending a modern and sporty edge to its design.

    Launched in 2011, reference 3670 was an “application” watch, meaning only Patek Philippe’s most esteemed, loyal clients were given the opportunity to acquire one. With its striking aesthetics, extreme rarity of only 16 examples made, and immense collectability, this timepiece unquestionably ranks among the most significant in Patek Philippe’s modern legacy.

  • 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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Ref. 3670A-001
An extremely rare and highly important stainless steel limited edition chronograph cushion-shaped wristwatch, 1950s movement, and Certificate of Origin, part of a limited edition of 16 pieces

2012
37mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement and buckle signed

Estimate
$500,000 - 1,000,000 
CHF440,000-879,000
€469,000-937,000
HK$3,890,000-7,770,000

Sold for $825,500

Contact Specialist

Paul Boutros
Deputy Chairman, Watches, 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: XI

New York Auction 7 - 8 December 2024