Patek Philippe

Dje
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Patek Philippe 3670A a steel chronograph with a vintage calibre!

We've discussed this watch already but as I was too busy to put a context to it at the time I wanted to come back to it.

The Patek Philippe 3670A is a brand new steel chronograph with a vintage calibre 13-300.

The calibre is obviously the main asset of the watch as this calibre based on a Valjoux "ebauche" was used in several well known references such as the "simple" chronographs 130 or 530, or the complicated perpetual calendars 1518 or 2499 (this last one till the early 80s). This calibre was in regular production at Patek Philippe from 1938 and the 16 calibres found in 1996 in the Patek Philippe building Rue du Rhone in Geneva before its latest renovation are said to have been assembled and adjusted in 1955.

This calibre was replaced in the reference 3970 by a new calibre CH27-70 developed on a Lemania ebauche, itself recently replaced by the fully in-house calibre CH29-535 seen in the 5170 or 5270 and the Ladies watch reference 7071.

Obviously the more modern calibres have brought many technical improvements, but you don't judge a vintage racing car on its overall top speed, consumption or reliability or ease of use. There is a certain charm to past performances.

I can certainly understand why very serious Patek Philippe collectors are certainly battling hard to try to get one of the 16 pieces. I know that one of us here has applied and I wish him the best even if he himself has very little hopes....

I would be myself more tempted by a vintage reference 130 or 1463 using the same calibre, or a 5959 in the modern range (even if this one is even more expensive). Still the opportunity to complete a collection of vintage Patek Philippe chronographs with a brand new and very limited piece must be an urging situation.

The 16 calibres were disassembled, restored and reassembled before being cased. As said by Patek Philippe they were "readjusted to the strict accuracy requirements that apply to all Patek Philippe watches". They obviously bear the historical Geneva Seal and not the Patek Philippe Seal, but they "tick to a degree of precision unheard of in the era during which they were manufactured" even if they "do not fully match the rate accuracy of modern mechanical movements". You would not ask a fully restored Jaguar D Type to win Le Mans against Audi diesel cars!

I have to admit that I find the design of the case and dial particularly well made. The watch would be a perfect black companion for your 5950A!

In fact I'd love to see another stainless steel version of this case, with a CH29-535 inside. This watch would probably turn me mad. Do I need that? Certainly not!

The surprise for me relies in the fact that this watch goes out unexpectedly, without any specific commemoration. The 5105 is the only precedent I see with the use of a vintage calibre in a modern Patek Philippe watch (even if some complicated pocket watches in the 80s and 90s also used vintage bases, for instance for the reference 942).The 5105 was issued for the reopening of the Geneva Salon. This time there is no such reason.

Anyway I guess that Mr Stern may have known before the presentation of the piece who should be the potential candidates for the 16 pieces. I guess there's in fact no need to apply. If you had a real chance, you would have been probably offered the piece before even hearing about it!

Hopefully the Patek Philippe Museum will retain one piece, so that we can at least see one someday (that's the only way I found to see a 5105).

It's so comfortable when you know that your dreams are unreachable and are not made to be attained! In case the watch is sold only through the Geneva Salon! Good luck.

Cheers

Dje

This message has been edited by Dje on 2011-10-30 11:42:12