Important Watches
Important Watches
Property sold to Benefit a Charitable Fund
Patek Philippe
Reference 3970E | A yellow gold perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch with moon phases, Circa 1985 | 百達翡麗 3970E | 型號黃金萬年曆計時腕錶備月相顯示，約1985年製
Auction Closed
June 15, 05:21 PM GMT
Estimate
70,000 - 110,000 USD
Lot Details
Description
Property sold to Benefit a Charitable Fund
Patek Philippe
Reference 3970E
A yellow gold perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch with moon phases, Circa 1985
百達翡麗 3970E
型號黃金萬年曆計時腕錶備月相顯示，約1985年製
Dial: silvered
Caliber: cal. 27-70Q mechanical, 24 jewels
Movement number: 876'180
Case: 18k yellow gold, screw down sapphire crystal display back
Case number: 2'914'511
Closure: 18k yellow gold Patek Philippe folding clasp
Size: 36 mm diameter
Signed: case, dial and movement
Box: yes
Papers: no
Accessories: Patek Philippe presentation box with outer packaging, additional solid case back, setting pin, and service hang tag
Launched in 1986, the reference 3970 was Patek Philippe’s third perpetual calendar chronograph made in series. Powered by the Lemania 2310 as its base, the caliber CH 27-70Q was heavily modified by Patek Philippe. The reference 3970 was the first perpetual calendar chronograph made by the firm to indicate the leap years.
The first series of the 3970 featured a solid snap-on case back. It was later replaced with Ref. 3970E like the current example, which features an updated screw-down case back, with the suffix indicating étanche, or waterproof. This screw back case back was produced for the second to fourth series of the model until the Reference 3970 ceased production 2004.
The reference was a complete success and was kept it in production for almost twenty years, making it in yellow, pink and white gold, and in platinum. The present example is in close to new condition with terrific and well-defined fluting to the lugs, a sought-after two-tone 24-hour register, and is complete with its certificate of origin, box and second case back.