Wristwatches · Wristwatch
Patek Philippe 3940 Perpetual Calendar Second Series with Archive Extract, 1989
- Maker / attribution
- Patek Philippe (maker)
- Date
- 1989
- Historical period
- Quartz Revolution (1969 – 1990)
- Country of origin
- Switzerland
- Object type
- Wristwatch
- Dimensions
- Case 36 mm
- Stock no.
- W-2379
- Credit line
- Dealer listing, Bulang & Sons (W-2379)
- Catalogue title (original)
- Patek Philippe 3940 Perpetual Calendar Second Series with Archive Extract (English)
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Record summary
Catalogued by Bulang & Sons (dealer), Copenhagen (stock number W-2379), this is a wristwatch by Patek Philippe, made in Switzerland, dated 1989. The Atlas places it in the Quartz Revolution period (1969 – 1990) of its Wristwatches collection. Recorded dimensions: Case 36 mm. The record is illustrated with 6 photographs.
Assembled from the source record's structured fields. Dates and attributions are given as the source states them; where a field is missing the Atlas leaves it blank rather than estimating.
Catalogue description
Dealer description — Bulang & Sons
Watch trends come and go, but the mighty perpetual calendar is forever highly sought after by collectors. One current super-hot trend is the neo-vintage watch on leather strap and we believe we have the pinnacle of such a watch here with this stunning Patek Philippe. This is a stunning bold but refined Patek Philippe reference 3940 in yellow gold that features the rare early second series dial that is very different to the later second series and much rarer. The main difference from the first series is the change in sub-dial design with bevelled edges on the day and month indicators that gives the effect of larger sub-dials and also there is no crosshair in the sub-seconds at three o’clock. So much character and refinement on the dial and spacing is 100 percent in balance ! The star of the show is the perpetual calendar movement. At the height of the quartz crisis that decimated the Swiss watch industry, Patek released these watches with perpetual calendar complications in 36 mm cases. The beautifully proportioned case is in good condition and the correct solid caseback. This complicated Patek is accompanied by an official Archive Extract and 2020 Patek service paperwork. The calendar is in French, which is a nice romantic touch! The watch is fitted with the pictured leather strap that has the original gold Patek buckle. We adore the 3940 and believe that it is still highly underappreciated with a lot of potential for the future. There will come a day that this watch will be worth 100k in the upcoming years. We truly believe that! Get in touch to discuss this watch some more. Specifications: - Patek Philippe 3940 - 36mm yellow gold case with solid case back - Case serial 283xxxx - Dates to 1989 - Perpetual calendar three dial layout with moonphase - Automatic movement Cal 240Q - Movement serial 770xxx - Leather strap with original Patek Philippe gold buckle - Full archive extract - 2020 Patek service - Fully checked by our watchmaker - Includes a handmade leather watch pouch
Historical context
Quartz Revolution (1969 – 1990)
Seiko's Astron begins mass quartz timekeeping; traditional industries contract sharply.
Quartz and digital watches transformed the market after 1969. Swiss employment collapsed, Japanese and Hong Kong production soared, and the Swatch (1983) helped the Swiss industry recover; mechanical watches survived as luxury goods.
Read the period in the timelineMore wristwatches from this periodEarlier: Modern Mechanical Horology
Atlas type guide
Calendar, moon-phase and perpetual calendar watches
Calendar complications range from a simple date to the perpetual calendar, which automatically allows for months of different lengths and leap years until 2100. Pocket watches with perpetual calendars were made in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries; Patek Philippe made the first perpetual calendar wristwatch in 1925, and series production followed in 1941. The annual calendar (Patek Philippe, 1996) needs correction only once a year.
Moon-phase displays use a disc with two moons and 59 teeth advanced daily, approximating the 29.5-day lunation; more precise trains reduce the error to one day in over a century.
What to look for
- Apertures or subsidiary dials for day, date, month and leap year.
- Moon disc under a 'bosom' shaped aperture.
- Recessed correctors on the case band for setting the calendar.
Dating clues
- Triple-date wristwatches: popular c. 1940–1955.
- Perpetual calendar wristwatches: from 1925 (unique) and 1941 (series).
General guidance written by the Atlas editors about this kind of object. It is not a statement about this particular piece; for that, rely on the source record above and on physical examination.
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