Patek Philippe

Looking at this 3940 from a private seller. Watch is dated to 1989. The movement numbers on the COO and engraving match. Also, the watch has had a service earlier this year from PP and the receipt has the movement number matching as well.


Any thoughts would be much appreciated.

are on the othe side of the case (i.e. opposite the crown). They are important indicators re polishing status, of course. Maybe the seller could send you another image?

re the folding clasp - looks fake.

Which makes me wonder if they were Patek issued for a few years

I know the 3940 was produced in 3 series, the first series from 1985 to 1986, the second from 1987 to 1989 and the 3rd series from 1990 to 2004. The first series is quite rare, I believe only 100 pieces were produced and had the solid case back. The 2nd series had large hallmarks so I am rather concerned that the watch you are thinking of buying is from 1989 but does not spot the large hallmarks. Also the first and second series had leaf hands. The watch in your photo does not have leaf hands so this is a concern.  If your watch is actually a 3rd series made from 1990 onwards, it would have come with the sapphire crystal case back and solid back.  As you correctly stated, I am not aware of Patek exchanging a solid back for a sapphire crystal case back during a service but I must confess I am not entirely sure if this is the case.

That's not the case. Maybe you are mixing up the 3940 with the 3970 (that did have leaf hands on the first series)?

Thomas

700 expl. N° 770.001 to 770.700
This one is a very nice second serie.

My mistake, sorry. Kindly ignore my post! 

Both in case of the leaf hands and the large hallmarks

My understanding ( please correct if I'm wrong):
3940s were made across a time period where transparent case backs were becoming a thing. People did start requesting them and PP would indulge them. So much so that the 3941 was made , same watch but display back. Then they just dropped it and in the end of production offered display back as an option for any 3940.

The 3940 was made over a long period of time and in very large numbers. There are, without doubt, thousands of 3940s floating around out there.I never have heard an exact number.  If you have any question as to this particular watches “correctness”, just wait. Wait until you can find a 3940 for sale that you can see in person and then have absolute faith in the purchase. Don’t be too hasty to jump at a “ great deal”. It may priced to sell for a reason that you could regret in the near future. I have been wearing a 3940 for nearly ten years, and still love it. In my experience it is a watch that has improved with age! 

That is one principle I follow with every watch purchase i.e no rushing. It isn't like I don't like this particular example, quite the contrary actually. I will be seeing this in person before making a decision. Just wanted an opinion about a few things from people who have already had a more 'personal' experience with the 3940, such as your kind self

I had to go search internet, but I'm pretty sure some PP Ellipse models have calatrava cross that is "squished" to resemble ellipse proportions.



So maybe the clasp is real, but not model correct.
Also FWIW, I bought mine from Madison Time in NY. I bought the seller.
If forum rules don't allow me to mention the company, feel free to redact.

Looks really cool!

i.e if Patek issued 'squished' deployants around a certain time period, regardless of the model
PS: The mentioned seller has some drool worthy offerings. Love his video with B. Clymer

The picture I showed was random example off internet. I did not purchase an ellipse.

I purchased a 3940R from Madison Time. I trust them and yes, they have drool worthy pieces.

+1: this is the deployant buckle of an Ellipse. Imo, this 3940 came with a pin buckle and the one pictured was added.
This 3940 is a 2nd series (not a third); it has the "old style" certificate of origin and it is not coming with the Scatola del tempo winder. Unless it is a real bargain in terms of price, I'd not going for it.
Just my 2 cents

The 1st serie of course would be much more expensive. Could you tell me why would you pass on this one? Does anything look amiss to you (apart from the buckle)?

Not sure at which point did Patek introduce the Scatola del Tempo burgundy winding box, but this 3940 should have it. I would try to find one with the correct buckle and box (I did the same when I bought my 3940r and, afterwards, 5050j).
Just my 2 cents