Patek Philippe - A very rare and important 18k pink gold automatic perpetual calendar minute repeating wristwatch with phases of the moon, Ref. 3974, c. 1993

Lot 2760. Cal. R 27 Q nickel-finished lever movement stamped with the Geneva Seal, 39 jewels, Gyromax balance adjusted to heat, cold, isochronism and 5 positions, Breguet balance-spring, 22k gold off-centred micro-rotor, minute repeating on two steel gongs via two polished steel hammers, the silvered matte dial with applied pink gold faceted baton numerals, pink gold dauphine hands, three subsidiary dials indicating day combined with 24 hour indication, month with leap year cycle and date with phases of the moon, in circular case with stepped bezel and downturned lugs, repeating mechanism activated by a slide in the band, snap on back, together with an 18k pink gold Patek Philippe buckle, case, dial and movement signed. 36 mm. diam. - Estimate: HK$2,400,000-3,500,000 (US$300,000-450,000)

Note : Accompanied by a Patek Philippe presentation box with outer packaging, Certificate of Origin and brochures in leather wallet, additional glazed display back, adjustment tool and 18k gold clasp.

The reference 3974 was produced concurrently with the majestic Star Calibre in 1989 to celebrate Patek Philippe's 150th anniversary. The model is a minute repeater with perpetual calendar, 24 hour subsidiary dial and phases of the moon. At the heart of this sublimely complex creation is the R 27 Q calibre with 467 miniscule parts. It is among the most complicated wristwatch movements ever made. The innovation of the piece lies in its off-centred micro-rotor, the first such applied to the design of a repeater calibre. Thanks to the compact rotor design, the overall height of the highly complex movement is only 6.80 mm allowing the case to be incredibly thin.

The reference 3974 was mostly produced in yellow gold with very few examples in pink gold and is no longer in production. The first example of this reference is illustrated in Patek Philippe Wristwatches by Martin Huber & Alan Banbery, second edition, p. 325.

Christie's. Important Watches. 29 November 2007. Grand Hall (New Wing), Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre. Wanchai, Hong Kong