S otheby’s New York presents our April Fine Watches sale, a collection of accessible vintage and modern timepieces. The sale is highlighted by a fine Patek Philippe Reference 3940, a pink gold automatic perpetual calendar wristwatch with moon phases and leap year indication. The model was first introduced in 1985, and was in production for over 20 years. Also featured is an A. Lange & Sohne Lange 1 Time Zone. The Lange 1 has become an instant classic since its launch in 1994. Today varieties of this classic case feature world time, tourbillon, and perpetual calendar complications. From the house of Piaget, an impressive Emperador dressed in pink gold, diamonds, and mother of pearl is available with an estimate of $25,000 – 45,000 USD. To complete our sale, a rare vintage Rolex Daytona, Reference 6240 is contrasted by moderns Daytonas, dressed in green and blue.
Timepieces are available for viewing by appointment at our New York offices.
Launched in 1985 and in production for over 20 years, the reference 3940 is one of the most popular perpetual calendars, thanks to its ultra-thin case and excellent dial layout. Showcasing a half yellow subsidiary dial for 24 hours indication, the present 3940 is believed to be a 2nd series, produced from 1988 to 1998. Discontinued in 2007 and replaced by the reference 5140, the reference 3940 is considered a timeless classic among collectors.
The Lange 1 Zeitzone is a charismatic example of both German engineering and aesthetic. Using the design traits typical of the Manufacturers such as the eccentric dials and large date apertures, the watch displays two time zones with their own day and night indications. The second time zone in the smaller dial can be set separately by activating the pusher at 7 o'clock while the date can be adjusted by the one at 10 o'clock or by changing the time of the main dial.
Outsize date display
Hours and minutes
Currently displayed time zone on city ring
Daylight indicator
Hours and minutes
Subsidiary seconds
Day/night indicator
This model, Ref. 6240, was launched in 1965 as the first Oyster Cosmograph Daytona model featuring screw-down chronograph pushers, which enhanced the model's water resistance. At the time of its release, it was considered a great departure from the style of the earlier non-Oyster Daytona models. Today, collectors pay a premium for this model as it is seen as the ultimate standard dial Daytona.
The Emperador Cushion shaped case is enhanced by Piaget’s master jewel-setters. It is skillfully set with 136 graduating Brilliant-cut diamonds weighing about 2.6 carats. The dial is illuminated by another cluster of 164 brilliant-cut diamonds centered with mother-of-pearl.
The Daytona has been one of Rolex’s most consistently popular models since its introduction in 1963. Since then, the model has evolved, with the current iteration of the model available in steel, pink, white, and yellow gold, as well as bi- metal and platinum, and with metal or Cerachrom bezels and any number of dial, strap and bracelet combinations. Launched in 2016 at Baselworld, the 18K yellow gold ref. 116508 retains many of the features that make the Daytona so iconic, including the fixed Tachymetric scale bezel, screw-down chronograph pushers and the sub dials at 3, 6 & 9. However, it was the first Daytona to be supplied with a green dial with contrasting applied yellow gold hour markers. Whilst initially overshadowed by its black and white-dialed steel brothers with their Cerachrom bezels, the green 116508 has become one of the most in-demand and desirable offerings from Rolex, particularly after its appearance on the wrist of well-known collector and musician John Mayer.
We are pleased to present not one or two, but three opportunities to purchase this incredible model.
