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Lot Essay
This endangered species strap is shown for display purposes only and is not for sale. The watch will be supplied with a calf leather strap.
The present reference 3971 is a highly attractive and extremely well-preserved example of the celebrated model. Consigned by a private collector it has never been offered in public before.
Reference 3971
In 1986, Patek Philippe launched a new generation of the perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch, designated reference 3970 and and much rarer reference 3971, replacing the hugely successful reference 2499. The main difference in the movement was the arrival of the new Lemania base ébauche which replaced the Valjoux movement used for the previous 50 years. Starting with movement number 875'000, the first series of reference 3970 were produced with a solid snap on back, comprising approximately 100 examples. The second series introduced a solid screw back, designated reference 3970E (E for étanche, French for waterproof). Examples of this second series were also produced with a sapphire crystal display back, and given the reference 3971E, of which the present watch is a fine example. Only a small number of reference 3971 are available as it was soon discontinued in 1990, when the third series of reference 3970 was launched with a spare crystal case back.
Reference 3971 is illustrated in: Patek Philippe Museum - Patek Philippe Watches, Vol. II, p. 307.
The present reference 3971 is a highly attractive and extremely well-preserved example of the celebrated model. Consigned by a private collector it has never been offered in public before.
Reference 3971
In 1986, Patek Philippe launched a new generation of the perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch, designated reference 3970 and and much rarer reference 3971, replacing the hugely successful reference 2499. The main difference in the movement was the arrival of the new Lemania base ébauche which replaced the Valjoux movement used for the previous 50 years. Starting with movement number 875'000, the first series of reference 3970 were produced with a solid snap on back, comprising approximately 100 examples. The second series introduced a solid screw back, designated reference 3970E (E for étanche, French for waterproof). Examples of this second series were also produced with a sapphire crystal display back, and given the reference 3971E, of which the present watch is a fine example. Only a small number of reference 3971 are available as it was soon discontinued in 1990, when the third series of reference 3970 was launched with a spare crystal case back.
Reference 3971 is illustrated in: Patek Philippe Museum - Patek Philippe Watches, Vol. II, p. 307.