Patek Philippe

• Cal. 27-70Q, manual winding nickel lever movement, 24 jewels • silvered dial, applied baton indexes, white gold feuille hands, apertures for day and month, three subsidiary dials for 30-minute register combined with leap year, date combined with moon phases, and constant seconds combined with 24-hours • 18k white gold case, concave bezel, round chronograph push buttons, screw-down sapphire crystal case back • case, dial, and movement signed • 18k white gold Patek Philippe buckle

Running at the time of cataloguing. Overall in good condition. Accompanied by an Extract from the Archives confirming the date of sale on 5 December 1990. The strap of this watch contains endangered species; please see 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 the Certificate of Origin dated 5 December 1990, original wooden box, and setting pin. Also with an Extract from the Archives confirming the date of sale on 5 December 1990.

According to our research, the present lot is one of only four known examples of Ref. 3971 in white gold. The serial numbers for these watches are within such a small range that it is highly likely that the total number produced was only about two dozen.

As Ref. 3970 and 3971 were only available in yellow gold in the first series, and for the third series Ref. 3971 was rendered obsolete by the availability of two backs for each watch, this very small group of white gold Ref. 3971 models represents the only creation of this variation.

The present lot is being offered for the first time at auction by a descendant of the original owner.

For further reading on Ref. 3971 and an example in yellow gold, see lot 255.