Patek Philippe

• cal 27-70Q nickel lever movement stamped with the seal of Geneva, 24 jewels, Gyromax balance • pink dial, applied diamond indexes, luminous feuille hands, apertures for day and month, 3 subsidiary dials indicating constant seconds with 24-hour indication, 30-minute register with leap year indicator and date with moon-phases • 18k pink gold case, bezel set with 40 baguette-cut diamonds, screw-down sapphire crystal display back • case, dial and movement signed • with an 18k pink gold folding Patek Philippe buckle

Manual winding movement, chronograph function and perpetual calendar is in working order during the time of cataloguing. The watch comes with a Patek Philippe service invoice. It has been preserved in service bag after servicing and has not been worn since. Dial is nice in a very good condition. Case and bracelet with light scuff and hairline scratches from wear. Overall in very good condition. *Please note the movement has not been tested for time keeping and a service might be required at the buyer's expense. **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."

With a Patek Philippe Certificate of Orgin, instruction manual, solid case back, setting pin, presentation box and an Extract from the Archives.

Launched in 1995, the Patek Philippe Ref 3990 was the manufacturer’s first Grand Complication to be adorned with diamonds, combining the skills of haute horlogerie with haute joaillerie. Based on the perpetual calendar chronograph Ref 3970, this reference featured a bezel set with 40 baguette-cut diamonds and diamond-set hour indexes on the dial.

Ref 3990 was in production between 1995 and 2004, with examples in pink gold being introduced in 1997. According to our research, only a few hundred pieces were made in total, probably less than a hundred in each case material.  The present example is an exquisite "pink on pink" version and only a handful of this version has appeared in the public market.  The present watch has remained with its original owner who is a scholar watch collector and is one of the very few complete examples to appear at auction with the certificate of origin within a leather folder, original wooden box, solid numbered pink gold case back and stylus.

For an illustration of a similar reference (Ref. 3970) see "Patek Philippe Wristwatches", by Martin Huber & Alan Banbery, Volume 2, Second Edition, P.302.