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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Wristwatch · Perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch

Patek Philippe Reference 3970E Chronograph Perpetual Calendar Wristwatch

Partially verified

This Patek Philippe reference 3970E is a manual-winding perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch manufactured in 18K yellow gold, dating to 1990. The 36 mm case features round chronograph pushers, stepped lugs, and a solid screw-down case back. Its dial displays day and month apertures below 12 o'clock, subsidiary dials for 30-minute timing combined with leap-year indication, constant seconds with a 24-hour indicator, and a date ring enclosing a moon-phase display at 6 o'clock. Inside, the watch is powered by the 24-jewel calibre CH 27-70 Q, derived from a Lemania 2310 ébauche.

Front view of the Patek Philippe reference 3970E perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch in 18K yellow gold on a leather strap
Front view of the Patek Philippe reference 3970E perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch in 18K yellow gold on a leather strap — Monaco Legend Group. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.invaluable.com
Category
Wristwatch · Perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch
Maker / attribution
Patek Philippe
Reference
3970E
Catalogue / lot identifier
141
Source-reported date
1990
Country
Switzerland
Source-reported serial
2'860'497

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Identity and Chronology

This timepiece is identified as a Patek Philippe Reference 3970E, a manual-winding chronograph featuring a perpetual calendar. It is assigned the case serial number 2'860'497 and the movement serial number 875'545. Documentation accompanying the lot includes a Certificate of Origin dated May 1990.

The reference 3970 lineage is described as having four series, with this 3970E categorized as the second series, identified by its 'E' suffix denoting 'Étanche' or water-resistant construction, characterized by the inclusion of a screw-down caseback.

Evidence for this section
  • “Reference: 3970E”
  • “Case N°: 2'860'497”
  • “Movement N°: 875'545”
  • “Accompanied by Patek Philippe Certificate of Origin dated May 1990”
  • “The second series, introduced in 1987 and produced until 1990, became the 3970E, with “E” standing for Étanche, referring to its screw-down caseback”

Construction and Dial Configuration

The case is crafted from 18K yellow gold and measures approximately 36 mm in diameter. The dial features applied yellow-gold baton markers and matching baton hands. Calendar information is displayed via twin windows at 12 o'clock indicating the day and month, and a date ring encircling a moon-phase display at the 6 o'clock position.

Additional functions include a 30-minute chronograph totalizer which incorporates a leap-year cycle indicator, and a constant seconds subdial that integrates a 24-hour indicator.

Evidence for this section
  • “Case Material: 18K yellow gold”
  • “Dimensions: 36mm Diameter”
  • “Light dial with applied yellow-gold baton hour markers and matching baton hands.”
  • “Twin calendar windows displaying 'SUN' and 'DEC' positioned beneath the 12 o'clock marker.”
  • “Three subdials featuring a 24-hour indicator, 30-minute counter with leap-year cycle, and date with moon-phase aperture.”

Mechanism and Provenance Limitations

The movement is the Patek Philippe calibre CH 27-70 Q, a 24-jewel manual-winding calibre derived from the Lemania 2310 ébauche. The watch is currently paired with a leather strap; it is also accompanied by an 18K yellow-gold Patek Philippe bracelet.

The source documentation states that the yellow-gold bracelet was an addition provided at a later date and was not original to the watch. The lot is offered 'as is,' and the auction house notes that the condition of the bracelet and the water resistance of the screw-down caseback are not guaranteed.

Evidence for this section
  • “Movement: Manual, cal. 27-70 Q, 24 jewels”
  • “The 3970 is powered by the celebrated Lemania 2310 ébauche, extensively modified and finished by Patek Philippe as calibre CH 27-70 Q.”
  • “The watch is further fitted with an 18K yellow-gold Patek Philippe bracelet, added at a later date.”
  • “All lots offered are sold "AS IS".”
  • “The conditions of the bracelets and the water resistance of the screwed-back watches are not guaranteed”

Open research questions

  • To what extent does the 'added later' bracelet impact the consistency of the factory finish when compared to the 18K yellow gold case?
  • Given the May 1990 certification, how does this specific serial number align with the transitional production period when 3970E models were first being supplied with both solid and sapphire casebacks?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Patek Philippe Reference 3970E Chronograph Perpetual Calendar Wristwatch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Reference3970E“Reference: 3970E”
Case Number2'860'497“Case N°: 2'860'497”
Movement Number875'545“Movement N°: 875'545”
Calibrecal. 27-70 Q, 24 jewels“Movement: Manual, cal. 27-70 Q, 24 jewels”
Case Material18K yellow gold“Case Material: 18K yellow gold”
Dimensions36mm Diameter“Dimensions: 36mm Diameter”
Movement CalibreCH 27-70 Q“powered by the celebrated Lemania 2310 ébauche, extensively modified and finished by Patek Philippe as calibre CH 27-70 Q.”
Case BackSolid caseback“The present example, dating from 1990 and cased in 18K yellow gold, is preserved in excellent condition and is fitted with its solid caseback.”

Visible details

  • Light dial with applied yellow-gold baton hour markers and matching baton hands.
  • Twin calendar windows displaying 'SUN' and 'DEC' positioned beneath the 12 o'clock marker.
  • Three subdials featuring a 24-hour indicator, 30-minute counter with leap-year cycle, and date with moon-phase aperture.
  • Fitted with a light brown leather strap secured with white stitching.

Research qualifications

  • The supplementary 18K yellow-gold Patek Philippe bracelet described in the auction text is not shown in this photograph.
  • The solid caseback, movement, certificate, and presentation accessories are not depicted in the image.

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

At Auction: Patek Philippe, Patek Philippe. A highly desirable and well preserved, Chronograph Perpetual Calendar, manual wristwatch in yellow gold, with Patek Philippe gold bracelet, Certificate and box, reference 3970E.

Reviewed 2026-10-25 · Record 160a0f05d1

Terms in this record

Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.

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