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

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

Diameter 36.5 mm.

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.