56 Patek Philippe A highly rare and collectible, Perpetual calendar chronograph, moon phases, manual wristwatch in platinum, with black dial, Breguet numeral at 12, tachymeter scale, made for Patek Philippe Watch Art Exhibition at Saatchi gallery in London, with Certificate of Origin, additional caseback, setting pin, hang tag, fitted presentation box and outer packaging, reference 3970EP-046.

Estimate: € 650.000 –⁠ 1.300.000

A 20% import VAT is due on the final price including premium, only if it is delivered within the EU.

• Model Perpetual Calendar Chronograph
• Year 2016
• Reference 3970EP-046
• Case Material Platinum
• Case Number 4'279'391
• Bracelet Material Leather strap
• Movement Manual, cal. 27-70, 24 jewels
• Movement Number 3'932'322
• Dimension 36mm diameter
• Signed Case, dial and movement
• Accessories Accompanied by Patek Philippe Certificate of Origin dated August 25th 2016 and stamped Salons Patek Philippe Geneve, additional caseback, setting pin, hang tag, portfolio with photo, product literature, fitted presentation box and outer packaging.

In 2015, Patek Philippe chose the Saatchi Gallery in London to host its Watch Art Grand Exhibition, an event conceived as a museum, like experience, positioning watchmaking firmly within the realm of art. The choice of the Saatchi Gallery was far from accidental. By presenting its creations within a space dedicated to art, Patek Philippe aimed to convey a clear message: a finely crafted mechanical watch is not merely an instrument to measure time, but a work of art, the result of centuries of savoir-faire, craftsmanship and tradition. To commemorate this historic exhibition, Patek Philippe produced a number of special watches reserved for the London event, among them a remarkable interpretation of the reference 3970 in platinum. Introduced in 1986 and produced until the early 2000s, the 3970 represents one of the most important perpetual calendar chronographs of the modern era. The present example elevates that legacy to an altogether rarer plane: cased in platinum and fitted with the elusive special dial (code 046), it features an inky black surface distinguished by a solitary Breguet numeral at 12 o’clock and an additional tachymeter scale, a configuration confirmed by its Certificate of Origin and never offered through the regular catalogue. It is widely believed that only five examples in platinum were produced for the occasion, making this configuration one of the most elusive interpretations of the reference. Offered with both its sapphire and numbered solid platinum casebacks, and accompanied by its full complement of original accessories, this special 3970 is not merely a rare variant but a historical artefact, a trophy piece born from a moment when Patek Philippe chose to reveal a hidden chapter of its own excellence to only the most discerning collectors.