Patek Philippe Reference 3970EP-010 | A platinum perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch with moon phases, Circa 1997 | 百達翡麗 型號 3970EP-010 鉑金萬年曆計時腕錶備月相顯示，製作年份約 1997

Patek Philippe

Reference 3970EP-010
A platinum perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch with moon phases, Circa 1997

百達翡麗 型號 3970EP-010
鉑金萬年曆計時腕錶備月相顯示，製作年份約 1997

Dial: black
Caliber: cal. 27-70Q mechanical, 24 jewels
Movement number: 3'045'664
Case: platinum, screw down sapphire crystal display back
Case number: 4'010'766
Closure: platinum Patek Philippe folding buckle
Size: 36 mm diameter
Signed: case, dial and movement
Box: yes
Papers: yes
Accessories: Patek Philippe presentation box with outer packaging, Certificate of Origin (undated), leather bi-fold, booklets, two additional straps and an additional solid case back

Condition Report:
Case: The case and folding buckle are in overall excellent condition. Likely service crown. The additional solid platinum case back stamped '4'010'766'.

Dial: The dial is in overall excellent condition.

Movement: The movement is running at time of cataloging, however it was not tested for the accuracy of time or duration of the power reserve and may need service at the buyer's discretion. Please note that Sotheby's does not guarantee the future working of the movement.

**The pillow inside of the presentation box is deteriorating.**

**Please note that the additional straps are made of materials derived from endangered or otherwise protected species.**

***Please be advised that the bands on this watch are made of materials derived from endangered or otherwise protected species (i.e. alligator and crocodile) and thus not sold with the watch, they are for display purposes only. We will remove these bands prior to international shipping and the state of California.***

Catalogue Note:
Patek Philippe first launched the reference 3970 in 1986, following the success of the exceptional and iconic reference 2499. The design of the case of the reference 3970, with its down-turned fluted lugs, and pump pushers are clearly influenced by the form of the 2499. Reference 3970 replaced the Valjoux movement of its predecessors with a heavily modified Lemania 2310 ébauche called CH 27-70Q. Furthermore, two new indications were added to reference 3970: the leap year indicator to the 3 o'clock subsidiary dial and 24-hour indicator to the 9 o'clock subsidiary dial.

The reference 3970E (E for Etanche or water-resistant) was produced in yellow, white, and pink gold, and platinum. The platinum version was offered with three different dial choices: silvered with batons, black with batons, and black with diamonds. The present lot, cased in platinum, is offered with a black dial and baton hour markers. Additionally, this example is offered with its full suite of accessories including both its sapphire case back and solid numbered platinum case back.