3126 ♦
PATEK PHILIPPE

Manufacturer/Manufaktur: Patek Philippe, Geneva. Model: "Chronograph and Perpetual Calendar". Year/Jahr: 1992. Reference No./Referenz-Nr.: 3970J. Movement No./Werk-Nr.: 876 034. Calibre/Kaliber: CH 27-70 Q, manual-winding/Handaufzug. Case No./Gehäuse-Nr.: 2 873 845. Material: 18K yellow gold/Gelbgold. Braclet-Strap/Armband: Black crocodile leather Patek Philippe strap/Schwarzes Patek Philippe-Krokodillederarmband. Clasp-Buckle/Verschluss: 18K yellow gold Patek Philippe deployant clasp/Patek Philippe-Faltschliesse aus 18 kt. Gelbgold. Dimensions/Grösse: ø 36,2 mm. Signed/Signiert: Dial, case, movement/Zifferblatt, Gehäuse, Werk. Accessories: Original fitted box and outer box, 18K yellow gold and wood setting-pin, repair invoice (dated March 23, 2011), Extract from the Archives/Originalbox, Funktionsstift aus 18 kt. Gelbgold und Holz, Reparaturrechnung (vom 23. März 2011), Archivauszug.

Round-shaped gentleman's wristwatch with subsidiary seconds at 9 and nine horological complications: 1/5 second chronograph with round push-pieces; Half-instantaneous 30-minute recorder (subsidiary dial at 3 o'clock); Perpetual calendar; 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); Phases of the moon (aperture at 6 o'clock); Four-year cycle of leap-years (subsidiary dial at 3 o'clock); Diurnal (day-time) and nocturnal (night-time) hours with a 24-hour (AM-PM) scale (subsidiary dial at 9 o'clock). Polished two-piece case with sapphire-crystal screwed case-back. Silver "opalin" colour dial with radial yellow gold applied "obus" indexes.

Runde Herrenarmbanduhr mit Kleiner Sekunde bei 9-Uhr und neun Komplikationen: 1/5-Sekunden-Chronograph mit Drückern; halb-augenblicklicher 30-Minuten-Zähler (bei 3-Uhr); Ewiger Kalender; Datumsanzeige (bei 6-Uhr); Wochentagsanzeige (bei 11-Uhr, in englischer Sprache); Monatsanzeige (bei 1-Uhr, in englischer Sprache); Mondphase (bei 6-Uhr); Schaltjahr (bei 3-Uhr); 24-Stundenanzeige (bei 9-Uhr). Poliertes, zweiteiliges Gehäuse mit Saphirglas-Boden. Opalinfarbenes Zifferblatt mit aufgelegten "Obus"-Indizes aus Gelbgold.

Bibliography: Huber & Banbery, 1998, p. 305.; Patrizzi, 2010, vol. 1, p. 146 (No. 101, similar watch); Patrizzi, 2010, vol. 2, pp. 267-268 (Nos. 1 125-1 127, similar watches in various metals).

The Patek Philippe, Reference 3970 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.