Patek Philippe
Reference 3940G | A white gold perpetual calendar wristwatch with moon phase, leap year and 24-hour indication | Circa 1996
Auction Closed
May 12, 11:39 AM GMT
Estimate
40,000 - 60,000 CHF
Lot Details
Description
Dial: silvered, 3rd series
Calibre: cal. 240 automatic, 27 jewels
Movement number: 775'750
Case: 18k white gold, snap-on case back
Case number: 2'989'640
Closure: 18k white gold Patek Philippe folding clasp
Size: 36 mm diameter
Signed: case, dial and movement
Box: yes
Papers: yes
Accessories: Patek Philippe Certificate of Origin, service invoice dated January 2021, setting pin and winding presentation case
Please note the leather strap derived from endangered species is for display purposes only and is not sold with the watch. The watch will be shipped with a Sotheby’s branded calf leather strap.
Whilst many aficionados of horology recognize Patek Philippe’s dominance in the fabrication of a repeating timepiece, its perpetual calendar is a predominant reason that has attributed to the brand’s success and remained as a relevant complication to the many signature collections we enjoy today. The birth of the first perpetual calendar wristwatch with an automatic movement was with the legendary reference 3448 that was in production from 1962 to 1981 and has proven its success with the multiple record breaking achievements in auction history, and the present watch reference 3940 was the successor to this collection.
While the reference 3940 may not be crowned as the world's first automatic perpetual calendar, but it is a reference loved by most watch collectors. Its proportions are such that it is a very wearable wristwatch, simple in design, yet extremely elegant.
Powered by the ultra-thin perpetual calendar calibre 240 equipped with a micro-rotor, this movement was a triumph of micro-engineering and allowed the invention of many great examples that includes the Patek Philippe Nautilus Reference 5740 and base movements for minute repeaters as well.