Important Collectors’ Wristwatches, P...

New York, Jun 14, 2006

LOT 350

?Yellow 3974? Patek Philippe, Genève, No. 1906046, case No 2900787 Ref. 3974. Production of this reference started in 1989 and ceased in 1997. Sold on July 25, 1991. Extremely fine, rare and important, minute-repeating, astronomic, self-winding, 18K yellow gold gentleman's wristwatch with perpetual calendar, moon phases and an 18K yellow gold Patek Philippe buckle. Accompanied by an Extract from the Archives.

USD 320,000 - 380,000

EUR 250,000 - 300,000

Sold: USD 378,000

C. Three-body, solid, polished, stepped bezel, transparent case back, sapphire crystals. D. Matte silvered gold with applied yellow gold "bâton" indexes, subsidiary dials for the days of the month, of the week, the 24-hour indication, the months and the leap year, aperture for the moon phases. Yellow gold "dauphine" hands. M. Cal. R 27 Q, stamped with the Geneva Quality Mark, rhodium-plated, "fausses côtes" decoration, 39 jewels, straight line lever escapement, Glucydur Gyromax balance adjusted to heat, cold, isochronism and 5 positions, shock-absorber, self-compensating free-sprung flat balancespring, 22K gold micro-rotor, repeating on gongs by activating slide on the band. Dial, case and movement signed. Diam. 36 mm. Thickness 12 mm.


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Grading System
Grade:
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 2

Very good
Dial: 2-01

Very good

HANDS Original

Notes

Ref. 3974 Was launched in 1989 to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Patek Philippe. It was produced in a small series in 18K yellow gold, pink gold, and white gold, with a very few examples in platinum. The Ref. 3974 utilises the caliber R 27 Q, featuring 467 components and bearing the serial number 1906000. Production ceased in 1997. The movement is a technical exploit, incorporating a micro-rotor oscillating mass together with a minute repeating mechanism and a perpetual calendar in a size of 12 1/2'''. The first watch of Ref. 3974 is illustrated in Patek Philippe Wristwatches, by Martin Huber & Alan Banbery, 1998 Edition, p. 325.