Patek Philippe. An 18ct rose gold perpetual calendar wristwatch?
Ref: 3940R, Case No.2981617, Movement No.776493, Made in 1997
27-jewel Cal:240Q movement stamped with the Seal of Geneva quality mark, rhodium-plated, fausses cotes decoration, straight-line lever escapement, Gyromax balance self-compensating free-sprung flat balance spring, 22ct gold micro-rotor, silvered dial with applied pink gold faceted baton and pyramidal indexes, outer dot minute divisions, subsidiary dials for the days of the month, the week, the 24 hours, the month and the leap year, aperture for the sapphire glass moon phases, rose gold dauphine hands, polished case with transparent exhibition case back with reference and case numbers and European convention marks stamped inside, fitted Patek Philippe black leather strap with 18ct rose gold Patek Philippe deployant clasp with European convention marks,? together with original wooden fitted Patek Philippe box and outer cover, Patek Philippe setting tool, case, dial and movement signed
35mm.


Philippe Stern introduced the perpetual calendar 3940 in 1985 alongside the chronograph 3970, at a crucial time when most watch brands were barely recovering from the impact of the quartz crisis of the 1970s. The 3940 was initially launched in very small numbers. The earliest 25 pieces were made exclusively for the German retailer Chronometrie Beyer for their 225th Anniversary and therefore the dials are signed Beyer,? and feature both sunken subsidiary dials (the first 15 examples in German text) and solid case backs.

The earliest of the second series examples were thought to be produced between 1987-1989, and can be identified quite easily by the larger looking sub-dials which now incorporated the days and month within a bevelled disc.

Patek Philippe did also introduce a display case back, which was optional to begin with, hence why this lot has the display back only. The display backs were only available for the gold examples to exhibit the 240/Q movement, not the platinum versions which were solid. During the second series, the hallmarks also started to transition from only being featured on the side of the case around the setting buttons, ?to being stamped both on the side and on the back of the bottom lugs ( as can be seen in the image) The last identifiable feature for the later second series variations? (made from 1989 until around 1995) is easily distinguished by the addition of a cross hair to the leap year sub-dial. This range also had the Swiss sigma printed below the outer minute track, rather than inline as per the later 3rd series examples. The 3rd series also moved on to the Cal: 240/114 movement.

?This watch was previously sold at Bonhams London, in 2008.
The watch overall is in good order, with some gentle wear the case. The gold marks to the case by the setting buttons are clear but slightly rubbed, as can be seen in the images.? ?The hands are very very slightly aged and dial is clean. No scratches to the setting buttons. Setting buttons do reset correctly.? Watch is running but untested for timekeeping.?

Please note that Roseberys do not guarantee working order or time keeping of any automatic, mechanical, quartz or other timepiece

Please note that the watch strap for this lot is for display purposes only and will be removed at the time of purchase?

---------------------以下為軟件翻譯，僅供參考---------------------