Patek Philippe Perpetual Calendar Chronograph 3970EP-021

1308 Perpetual Calendar Chronograph Platinum 3970EP Third Series 1993 Box and Extract Excellent condition with platinum solid caseback (sapphire caseback missing) and platinum tang buckle. Comes with extracts from archives. The Patek Philippe Perpetual Calendar Chronograph ref. 3970 was released in 1986, at the beginning of the 'Golden Age' of neo-vintage watchmaking that followed the end of the Quartz Crisis. Companies like Patek Philippe survived by pivoting towards luxury, and as a result was given a small amount of breathing space amidst the onslaught. When Patek Philippe released the 3970 (and the 3940 Perpetual Calendar) in the mid-80s, however, contemporary observers, while impressed with the watch itself, weren't particularly optimistic about its chances. The 3970 was never a bestseller, both because of its complexity and price. Produced in four distinct series, the reference only saw production numbers of about 4,000 pieces across 18 years. With hindsight, it's easy to see how special this reference is - many consider it amongst the final iconic designs before the company transformed into the modern horological giant that it is today. The reference is a tour de force in watch design. It condenses a vast amount of information (day, date, month. leap year, moonphase, 24-hour indicator, as well as the chronograph) into a 36mm case, yet never feels crowded. The chronograph pushers are perfectly proportioned for the case, and don't detract from the overall dressiness of the watch. The concave bezel adds a further layer of elegance to the watch by drawing the viewer's eye into the dial, and the deceptively simple lugs have a bevel to them that betray how much effort went into its design. Patek Philippe 21366 Perpetual Calendar Chronograph 3970 Platinum / Silver Stick 3970EP-021 Manual Wind 36 Platinum 1993 Patek Philippe Perpetual Calendar Chronograph 3970 Platinum / Silver Stick 3970EP-021 False 3970EP-021