Patek Philippe Patek Philippe, Perpetual Calendar... Lot 68

Patek Philippe Patek Philippe, Perpetual Calendar Chronograph, Ref. 3970EJ, third generation, movement no. 3045368, case no. 2968267, made in 1995, sold in 1996 A superb, rare and attractive, full-set, water-resistant, manual-winding, 18K yellow gold perpetual calendar wristwatch with round chronograph pushers, 24-hour, moon phases and leap year indications, 18K yellow gold PP folding clasp Further accompanied by a spare bracelet with an 18K gold PP buckle and an Extract of the Archives Fitted with a caliber cal. 27'70Q, rhodium-plated, hand wound, 24 jewels, manual winding, self-compensating Breguet hairspring, gyromax balance, column-wheel chronograph mechanism, stamped with the Seal of Geneva. Patek Philippe's best signature. The present reference 3970 is a highly collectable specimen! Dial, case and movement signed. Diam. 36.30 mm. Thickness 12.70 mm. No more in production, Reference 3970 was launched in 1986. The first generation was fitted with snap on case back. Around 1988, the model was modified to a water-resistant version with screw back, like the present watch. In 2004, reference 3970 was replaced by the new reference 5970. The model is illustrated in Patek Philippe Wristwatches by Martin Huber & Alan Banbery, second edition, p. 305. Reference 3970 along with its predecessors, the Ref. 2499 and Ref. 1518, hold a significant position in the eyes of Patek Philippe collectors today, as the combination of a perpetual calendar with a chronograph is probably Patek Philippe's best signature. The present reference 3970 is a highly collectable specimen!