Patek Philippe

• cal. 27-70 Q manual winding nickel lever movement stamped with the Geneva seal, 24 jewels, Gyromax balance • slate gray dial, diamond-set indexes, luminescent hands, outer Arabic five minute divisions, apertures for day and month, 3 subsidiary dials for 12-hour register combined with constant seconds, 30-minute register combined with leap year indicator, phases of the moon combined with date • platinum circular case, bezel set with baguette-cut diamonds, chronograph buttons to the band, sapphire crystal display back • case, dial and movement signed • with a platinum PP folding buckle

Manual winding movement running, day, date, month and moonphases advancing while cataloguing. Dial looks nice, clean and very attractive. It is our opinion that the case has been gently repolished but remains crisp hallmark. Overall appears in excellent condition. Highly collectable! **Please note the strap of this wristwatch is made from an endangered species, please refer to important notices for further information.**
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. All dimensions in catalogue descriptions are approximate. Condition reports may not specify mechanical replacements or imperfections to the movement, case, dial, pendulum, separate base(s) or dome. Watches in water-resistant cases have been opened to examine movements but no warranties are made that the watches are currently water-resistant. Please note that we do not guarantee the authenticity of any individual component parts, such as wheels, hands, crowns, crystals, screws, bracelets and leather bands, since subsequent repairs and restoration work may have resulted in the replacement of original parts. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue. In particular, please note it is the purchaser's responsibility to comply with any applicable import and export matters, particularly in relation to lots incorporating materials from endangered species.NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

**Please be advised that bands made of materials derived from endangered or otherwise protected species (i.e. alligator and crocodile) are not sold with the watches and are for display purposes only. We reserve the right to remove these bands prior to shipping.

Important Notice regarding importation into the United States of Rolex watches
Sotheby's cannot arrange for the delivery of Rolex watches to the United States because U.S. laws restricts the import of Rolex watches. The buyer or a designated agent may collect the property in the country of sale."

Accompanied by an Extract from the Archives confirming production in 1996 with ardoise or slate gray dial, diamond indexes and 40 baguette-cut diamonds weighing approximately 2.79 carats and sale on 17 December of that year.  Further accompanied by a Patek Philippe presentation box with an outer card box. 

Dating back for more than 150 years, chronographs have played a vital role in Patek Philippe's horological virtuosity.  The grand era of Patek Philippe wrist chronographs started in the 1930s; after Jean and Charles Stern acquired the company from the last descendants of the manufacture's founders in 1932, they did an in-depth analysis of the American market and concluded that chronographs had a promising future.

The first to introduce this combination of functions, Patek Philippe exhibits a strong lineage of perpetual calendar chronograph watches.  The impressive range includes the Ref. 1518 in 1941, which was the first series of chronograph perpetual watches produced; to the highly coveted Ref. 2499, introduced in 1951.  In 1986, with a newly enhanced calibre CH 27-70 the Ref. 3970 was introduced with perpetual calendar and a chronograph; becoming an instant icon housing arguably the world's most beautiful chronograph movement.

According to our research, this watch is one of only four Ref. 3990 in platinum to appear in public to date. It is furthermore the second example of this series fitted with the "ardoise" or gray dial with diamond numerals.  The present watch has never been offered at auction before.