Beschreibung:

Σ10Patek PhilippeRef. 3974G-001 A highly important, incredibly rare, and exceptionally preserved white gold minute repeating perpetual calendar wristwatch with moonphases, additional caseback, Certificate of Origin, and presentation box2001 36mm Diameter Case, dial, movement, and clasp signed. Additional caseback signed. Estimate $600,000 - 1,200,000 CHF540,000-1,080,000 €505,000-1,010,000 HK$4,650,000-9,300,000 Place Advance BidContact Specialist Paul Boutros Head of Watches, Americas & International Strategy Advisor Senior Vice President +1 212 940 1293 pboutros@phillips.com
Condition ReportRequest Condition ReportThank youfor your request. The Condition Report will be sent shortly.Contact Us* RequiredSend me the Report ViaEmailFaxContact SpecialistCancelDescriptionOur Buyer's Premium has been updated. View our Conditions of Sale.Manufacturer: Patek Philippe Year: 2001 Reference No: 3974G-001 Movement No: 1’906’121 Case No: 2’962’729 Material: 18K white gold Calibre: Automatic, cal. R27Q, 39 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Crocodile Clasp/Buckle: Patek Philippe 18K white gold Dimensions: 36mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement, and clasp signed. Additional caseback signed. Accessories: Accompanied by Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming date of manufacture in 2001 and its subsequent sale on November 30th, 2001. Additionally accompanied by Patek Philippe Certificate of Origin confirming sale in Andorra, presentation box, leather folio, instruction manual, setting pin, additional caseback with blue sticker, hangtag, and product literature. Literature: Reference 3974 is illustrated in "Patek Philippe Wristwatches" by Martin Huber & Alan Banbery, second edition pp. 325 Catalogue EssayThe reference 3974 from Patek Philippe epitomizes the brand’s technical and design prowess manifested in the late 20th and early 21st century. The execution of a perpetual calendar minute repeater is the litmus test for greatness in the horological field, and Patek Philippe has proved time and time again that they are incomparable in this regard. Created under the guidance of Philippe Stern, this reference was launched in 1989 to celebrate Patek Philippe’s 150th anniversary. Featuring an in-house self-winding movement with minute repeater, perpetual calendar, 24-hour indication and moon phases, it was the world’s most complicated wristwatch at the time. The movement beating in the heart of this masterpiece is Patek Philippe’s caliber 27RQ, an impressively thin movement measuring just 6.8mm, comprised of 467 components. Another surprising feature is the micro-rotor, which provides an unobtrusive view into the superbly finished movement. The historical reference 3974 additionally stands-out as the first automatic-winding, minute repeating watch ever made. While the case architecture is derived from the famed reference 2499, particularly the gracefully arched lugs when viewed in profile, there are some marked differences to allow for the slide mechanism and lack of chronograph pushers. Patek Philippe turned to Jean-Pierre Hagmann (whose initials are proudly stamped inside the solid caseback and inner lug), a living legend among case makers, to create a case that would not only be a beautiful vessel for the watch but could also act as a superb sound carrier for the repeater’s delicate chimes. These minute repeaters are known to be Monsieur Hagmann’s favorite creations for the brand, and the early examples with his initials are coveted by collectors. He began his career creating watch bracelets at Gay Frères and went on to create watch cases for the most illustrious Swiss brands – even creating the 26 cases for Patek Philippe’s Star Calibre 2000 in six weeks. The chimes in the present timepiece are crystal clear, perfectly-timed, loud, and extremely pleasant to the ear - thanks to Patek Philippe’s technical expertise and Hagmann’s savoir faire. Patek Philippe discontinued the 3974 in 2000, and given how complex it was to manufacture, very few examples were made over its 11-year production period. In fact, the present example in white gold is the rarest of all case metals and is only the fifth known, according to scholarship. Dating from 2001, this white gold reference 3974 is notable for its exceptional state of preservation and completeness. Never before offered to the public, it is in spectacular condition, with the shading for the day/night indication having deepened ever so slightly and the hallmarks strong and present. Presented with its original Certificate of Origin and second solid caseback, and setting pin, w