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Lot Essay
Last seen at auction over a decade ago and, since then, one of the stars of an important private collection, the present exceptional white gold reference 3970EG-028 is certainly one of the most exclusive and important representations of the reference, showcasing the perfect blend of mechanical complexity, dial exclusivity, and rare case metal.
To the best of our knowledge, no other example in white gold with a certificate-confirmed black dial with full Breguet numerals has been offered at international auction.
Sold in 2007, the production of the present timepiece post-dates the end of the reference 3970 series by two years, which concluded in 2004. With characteristics of a 4th series 3970, including seven-digit movement and case numbers, this and other special-order, out-of-series watches were occasionally sanctioned after the production of the reference had officially ended. These ultra-exclusive timepieces were, naturally, only accessible to Patek Philippe’s most loyal and long-standing clients.
The exceptional standout feature of the present timepiece is the ravishing special-order black dial, which provides a beautiful contrast to the white gold case. Featuring full Breguet numerals, it offers a completely different and highly appealing aesthetic compared to the production models of the 3970, and indeed even most other exclusive 3970s with black dials. Apart from the present watch cased in white gold, this dial type is only known to have been fitted to a very small number of platinum-cased 3970s. This superlative watch offers collectors the opportunity to obtain an undoubtedly significant special-order 3970, one of the great 21st-century Patek Philippe classics.
Reference 3970
In 1986, Patek Philippe launched a new generation of the perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch, designated reference 3970, replacing the hugely successful reference 2499, which had been in production in four different series from 1951 to 1985. The main difference in the movement was the arrival of the new Lemania-based ébauche, which replaced the Valjoux movement used for the previous 50 years.
Starting with movement number 875'000, the first series of reference 3970 was 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). A small number of watches from both series were also available with a sapphire crystal back, designated reference 3971E. In 1989, a third series of reference 3970 was launched, fitted with a solid screw-back as well as an additional sapphire crystal display screw-back. Reference 3970 was discontinued in 2004 and replaced by reference 5970.
To the best of our knowledge, no other example in white gold with a certificate-confirmed black dial with full Breguet numerals has been offered at international auction.
Sold in 2007, the production of the present timepiece post-dates the end of the reference 3970 series by two years, which concluded in 2004. With characteristics of a 4th series 3970, including seven-digit movement and case numbers, this and other special-order, out-of-series watches were occasionally sanctioned after the production of the reference had officially ended. These ultra-exclusive timepieces were, naturally, only accessible to Patek Philippe’s most loyal and long-standing clients.
The exceptional standout feature of the present timepiece is the ravishing special-order black dial, which provides a beautiful contrast to the white gold case. Featuring full Breguet numerals, it offers a completely different and highly appealing aesthetic compared to the production models of the 3970, and indeed even most other exclusive 3970s with black dials. Apart from the present watch cased in white gold, this dial type is only known to have been fitted to a very small number of platinum-cased 3970s. This superlative watch offers collectors the opportunity to obtain an undoubtedly significant special-order 3970, one of the great 21st-century Patek Philippe classics.
Reference 3970
In 1986, Patek Philippe launched a new generation of the perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch, designated reference 3970, replacing the hugely successful reference 2499, which had been in production in four different series from 1951 to 1985. The main difference in the movement was the arrival of the new Lemania-based ébauche, which replaced the Valjoux movement used for the previous 50 years.
Starting with movement number 875'000, the first series of reference 3970 was 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). A small number of watches from both series were also available with a sapphire crystal back, designated reference 3971E. In 1989, a third series of reference 3970 was launched, fitted with a solid screw-back as well as an additional sapphire crystal display screw-back. Reference 3970 was discontinued in 2004 and replaced by reference 5970.