Important Collectors' Wristwatches, P...

New York, Dec 09, 2009

LOT 161

Patek Philippe Ref. 3940 Platinum Sapphire Case Back Patek Philippe, Genève, movement No. 774503, case No. 2941985, Ref. 3940. Sold on June 14, 1994. Very fine and very rare, self-winding, platinum wristwatch with perpetual calendar, moon phases and a platinum Patek Philippe buckle. Accompanied by the original fitted box, 18K white gold solid case back, setting pin, a copy of the original cancelled certificate of origin stating the case in white gold, and a factory replaced certificate of origin stating the case is platinum.

USD 60,000 - 80,000

CHF 60,000 - 80,000 / EUR 40,000 - 55,000

Sold: USD 72,000

C. Two-body, solid, polished and brushed, concave bezel, snap-on numbered sapphire crystal case back. D. Matte silver with applied white gold faceted baton indexes, subsidiary dials for the days of the month, of the week, the months, the 24 hours and the leap year, aperture for the moon phases, outer engraved division. White gold dauphine hands. M. Cal. 240/Q, stamped with the Seal of Geneva Quality Mark, rhodium-plated, fausses cotes decoration, 27 jewels, straight-line lever escapement, Gyromax balance adjusted to heat, cold, isochronism and 5 positions, shock absorber, self-compensating flat balance spring, 22K gold micro-rotor. Dial, case and movement signed. Diam. 36 mm. Thickness 9 mm.


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Grading System
Grade:
Case: 1

As new
Movement: 1

As new
Dial: 1-01

As new

HANDS Original

Notes

Platinum examples of the Patek Philippe 3940 are rare and only one is known to have been manufactured with a sapphire crystal back, the watch number 774503 offered here is an anomaly and appears to be a very rare error by the factory. Purchased in Hong Kong in 1994 from a Patek Philippe authorized agent it was believed to be in white gold and was accompanied by a solid white gold case back and fitted sapphire crystal back. Shortly after purchase the watch returned to the factory for adjustment and the owner notified the case was made in platinum but accompanied by white gold accessories, a new certificate of origin was issued by the factory and stamped by the agent. This is the only known example of a platinum 3940 offered with white gold accessories and sapphire back.