PATEK PHILIPPE 3970 P PERPETUAL CHRONOGRAPH PLATINUM

Patek Philippe is universally acknowledged as the king of Swiss watchmaking. Even in this rarified air, some watches outshine others. The Patek Philippe reference 3970 is one of Patek's top watches of all time. Complicated Pateks definitely cast a spell over their admirers (and your author is no exception). The 3970 is a perpetual calendar paired with a chronograph, and it has that certain something, that makes it a "to die for" timepiece. Think of all the superlatives that can be bestowed on a watch and the 3970 deserves them all.

Case on this watch is solid platinum with dimensions of 36mm diameter by 13mm thick. Sapphire front and display back crystals. Stepped lugs in perfect undiminished condition. Pump style round chronograph pushers. Case is mint+ condition.

Dial is silver with baton hour markers and sword hands. Most platinum 3970s have diamond dials, which makes this dial attractively stealthy and rare. The perpetual calendar day and month are displayed in apertures below 12 o'clock; the 3 o'clock subdial displays 30 minute chronograph totalizer and leap year indicator; the 6 o'clock subdial displays the date and moonphase; 9 o'clock indicator displays constant seconds and 24 hour time.

Beating inside is the outstanding and prestigious Patek Philippe Caliber CH 27 70 Q with the Geneva Seal proudly stamped on its balance bridge. Technical details: 24 jewels, 353 individual parts; 60 hour maximum power reserve, Gyromax balance beating at 18,000 beats per hour. Movement provides day, date, month, moonphase, leap year, 24 hour indication and chronograph, in addition to the normal 12 hour time.

Strap is black crocodile with platinum tang buckle.

Watch is in mint+ condition (effectively new), and will be delivered with setting stylus, Patek box and original papers. This is definitely a watch for the ages.