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View full screen - View 1 of Lot 417. Reference 3970G | A white gold perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch with moon phases, leap year and 24-hour indication | Circa 1988.

Patek Philippe

Reference 3970G | A white gold perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch with moon phases, leap year and 24-hour indication | Circa 1988

Lot Closed

November 10, 12:16 PM GMT

Estimate

60,000 - 90,000 CHF

Lot Details

Description

Patek Philippe


Reference 3970G

A white gold perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch with moon phases, leap year and 24-hour indication

Circa 1988


Dial: silvered

Calibre: cal. 27-70 manual winding, 24 jewels

Movement number: 875'348

Case: 18k white gold, screw-down sapphire crystal display case back

Case number: 2'857'985

Closure: 18k white gold Patek Philippe buckle

Size: 36 mm diameter

Signed: case, dial and movement

Box: no

Papers: no

Accessories: none

Ref. 3970 was created following the success of the exceptional and iconic Ref. 2499. The design of the case of Ref. 3970, with its down-turned, fluted lugs, is clearly influenced by the form of the Ref. 2499. One main difference between the two models is the addition of the leap year indicator to the 3 o'clock subsidiary dial and 24-hour indicator to the 9 o'clock subsidiary dial. Patek Philippe first launched the Ref. 3970 in 1986 with a snap on case back. Two years into production, Patek Philippe modified the design to a screw-down water resistant type case back.


Cased in white gold, the present lot has developed a striking and unusual patina caused by the impurities in 18k white gold oxidizing. This happens over a long period and does not often build up in the same fashion, unless left latent in a cold dark space, often that of a safe or secure deposit box.