Pre-Owned Patek Phillipe Perpetual Calendar Moonphase Chronograph

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WHY WE LOVE IT

Of course, there's no arguing that Patek Philippe sits atop the watchmaking pinnacle as the finest manufacture in the world. But while Patek is world renowned for its superb in-house movements, it should be noted that up until fairly recently, even its complicated chronographs used source Swiss movements from the likes of Lemania, and before that, Valjoux. Of course, these were superbly finished versions of ebauch's, but this is old-school watchmaking in a nutshell: A maison such as Patek would source the parts from the very best manufacturers, and in the 1980s and 1990s, that was Lemania. The reference 3970E we have here is a waterproof version of a perpetual calendar chronograph produced between 1986 and 2004, preceded by the ref. 2499 and succeeded by the ref. 5970. And it's powered by the Calibre CH 27-70 Q manually-wound movement Patek's modified version of the Lemania Calibre 2310. Hand-finished and beautiful, it formed the basis of not only this watch, but also the Calibre 321 used in the first Omega Speedmatsers. What is this notable movement powering? Namely, a dial with an incredible amount of information, conveyed in an elegant form that only a maison such as Patek Philippe could design: On its beautiful silvered dial with white gold, applied indices, there are dual day and month displays beneath the 12 o'clock index; a combined 30-minute totalizer and leap year indicator at 3 o'clock; a combined date wheel and moon phase indicator at 6 o'clock; and a combined running seconds and 12-hour totalizer at 9 o'clock. (And yes, the 3970E also tells the time.) Housed in a polished, white gold 36mm case with round pushers, this particular 3970 is an E version for tanche, or waterproof meaning it has a screw-down case back. Pointed baton hands, a deployant clasp on its signed black alligator leather strap and a production date of 1995 indicate a 4th-series ref. 3970E, the last production run before the watch was succeeded by the ref. 5970. Beautifully sized with a gorgeous dial and featuring one of the most notable chronograph movements in history, we'll be damned if this isn't one of the most stunning complicated watches we've ever had the pleasure to offer. OVERALL CONDITION The case is in excellent condition overall showing light signs of wear consistent with age and use. Satin silver dial with recessed sub registers and applied white gold indices is in as-new condition with matching 'pencil' handset. Sapphire exhibition caseback. 18K signed crown.