Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces

Hong Kong, Apr 25, 2021

LOT 129

PATEK PHILIPPE
Ref. 3970 / 002 J, chronograph, minute counter, perpetual calendar, leap-year indication, moon phases, silver colour dial; 18K yellow gold

HKD 830,000 - 923,000

USD 107,100 - 11,900 / CHF 99,500 - 110,600

18K yellow gold, round-shaped, gentleman’s wristwatch, water-resistant with screwed case-back, subsidiary seconds at 9 and nine horological complications:
  • 1/5 second chronograph with round push-pieces
  • Half-instantaneous 30-minute counter (subsidiary dial at 3 o’clock)
  • Half-instantaneous perpetual calendar à guichets (with apertures)
  • Date of the month (subsidiary dial at 6 o’clock)
  • Day of the week (aperture at 11 o’clock; indications given in English)
  • Month of the year (aperture at 1 o’clock; indications given in English)
  • Four-year cycle of leap-years (subsidiary dial at 3 o’clock)
  • Phases of the moon (aperture at 6 o’clock)
  • Diurnal (day-time) and nocturnal (night-time) hours with a 24-hour (AM-PM) scale (subsidiary dial at 9 o’clock)

Silver colour “semi-glossy” dial, with 18K yellow gold “Obus” indexes.


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Grading System
Grade:
Case: 2

Very good
Movement: 1*

As new

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 1-01

As new

HANDS Original

Brand Patek Philippe, Geneva

Reference 39700 / 002 J

Year Circa 1994

Movement No. 876 1712

Case No. 2 901 006

Bracelet integrated 18K yellow gold Patek Philippe bracelet with clasp

Diameter 36.5 mm.

Caliber CH 27-70 Q, adjusted to heat, cold isochronism and 8 positions, Geneva Quality Hall Mark

Dimensions Length 180 mm. (approx.)

Signature dial, case and movement

Accessories certificate of origin (blank)

Notes

The original Certificate didn’t mention when this watch was sold.
--
Patek Philippe, Ref. 3970 and Ref. 3971
This reference is launched in 1986.
The production of this model began with the Cal. 27-70 Q bearing the serial number 875 000.
When Patek Philippe first launched this new series of watches, Ref. 3970 was the model bearing a metallic snap-on case-back, while Ref. 3971 was equipped with a screwed down sapphire case-back.
Very soon, the reference number of this model was standardised to Ref. 3970, sold either with one or two screwed down case-backs; one of these backs could be a screwed down metallic case-back, while the second, (non-compulsory), a screwed sapphire crystal case-back.
In consequence, very few watches bear Ref. 3971.
Bibliography
  • Huber, Martin, & Banbery, Alan, Patek Philippe Wristwatches, 1998, p. 305.