Source:
Event:
Date:
Lot Number:
Condition: Excellent
Year of Production: -
Case Size: 31mm
Case Material: Yellow gold
Dial Color: -
Bracelet/Strap: -
Movement Type: Automatic
Box: Yes
Papers: Yes
Location: Hong Kong
Estimates 25,579 - 38,368 USD
Sale Price
Description
Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces
Hong Kong, Jun 01, 2024
PATEK PHILIPPE, REF. 3878J, SKELETONIZED, 18K YELLOW GOLD
A very fine and very rare, skeletonized, self winding 18K yellow gold wristwatch.
Excellent
Very good
Slightly scratched
Very good
Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Very good
HANDS Original
Brand Patek Philippe
Model skeletonized
Reference 3878J
Year Sold on 7th Oct, 1994
Movement No. 1239301
Bracelet PP 18K yellow gold buckle
Diameter 31 mm.
Caliber 240SQ, 27 jewels
Weight 63gr. (approx.)
Signature dial, case and movement
Accessories PP fitted box, certificate of origin dated 7 Oct 1994, instructions booklet, PP brown leather folder and leaflet
The Patek Philippe Reference 3878 represents a significant milestone in the evolution of luxury watchmaking, both for Patek Philippe and the industry as a whole.
By the 1980s, the watch industry had begun to recover from the Quartz Crisis, a period during the 1970s and 1980s when quartz technology significantly impacted the traditional watchmaking industry. Brands like Patek Philippe sought to reassert the value of mechanical watches and their intricate craftsmanship.
The Reference 3878, introduced in 1981, was Patek Philippe’s response to this changing landscape. As the brand’s first automatic skeletonized wristwatch, it showcased the intricate beauty of mechanical movements, emphasizing the artistry and skill involved in creating such a timepiece. Its skeletonized design allowed wearers and enthusiasts to admire the movement directly, a feature that highlighted the brand’s commitment to excellence in watchmaking.
Encased exclusively in 18K yellow gold, the Reference 3878 was a testament to luxury and exclusivity, with only about 500 pieces produced over its approximately 26-year production run. This rarity, combined with its craftsmanship and place in Patek Philippe’s history, has made it a highly sought-after piece among collectors.