Patek Philippe Perpetual Calendar Chronograph 3970E

Patek Philippe

Manufacturer Patek Philippe Year Circa 1994 Reference No 3970E, Third Series Movement No 876’527 Case No 2’900’819 Material 18K white gold Calibre Manual, cal. CH 27-70 Q, 24 jewels Bracelet/Strap Crocodile Clasp/Buckle 18K white gold Patek Philippe pin buckle Dimensions 36mm diameter Signed Case, dial, movement and buckle signed Accessories Accompanied by Patek Philippe Certificate of Origin stamped Gübelin AG Lucerne, dated August 1994, instruction manual, product literature and leather folio. Full-Cataloguing Catalogue Essay Good To Know: - White gold is the scarcest out of all the metals - Fresh-to-the-market and offered by its original owner who acquired from Gübelin Lucerne in 1994 - This Third Series example is exceptionally well-preserved - Features a French calendar Introduced in 1986, the ref. 3970 succeeded the legendary, long-running ref. 2499, inaugurating a new chapter in Patek Philippe’s lineage of perpetual calendar chronographs. It was powered by the upgraded Lemania-based cal. CH 27‑70 Q, which replaced the Valjoux-derived movement of its predecessor. While preserving the family’s timeless aesthetic, the ref. 3970 adopted a more contemporary presence with a reduced diameter of 36mm. Produced for nearly two decades across four distinct series and in all four precious metals—yellow gold, pink gold, white gold, and platinum—the total production is estimated at approximately 4,000 examples. Third Series (1989–1995) – Introduces a solid screw‑back case with an additional sapphire display caseback, baton hands, and lapidated indexes. Approximately 1,350 examples were produced across all metals. (The present example.) The present example, a white gold ref. 3970 from the Third Series, is distinguished by its sapphire display back and faceted baton indices. Among the four metals, white gold is the scarcest. Fitted with a silvered “argenté” dial and French calendar, this “fresh‑to‑the‑market” example remains exceptionally well preserved, offered by its original owner who purchased it from the Gübelin boutique in Lucerne in 1994. Only approximately 5 examples in white gold with silver dial are known from the Third Series.