Comments:
Admittedly, this is the first watch I’ve encountered with ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs on the dial. If you happen to have a taste for Patek Philippe watches with quirky and probably unique dials, here is something for your consideration. This watch dates to 2002 and was made for Saud bin Muhammed Al Thani, who was a Qatari Prince that served as its Minister of Culture and Arts. The chap had some clout at Patek Philippe as they agreed to this request for a personalised timepiece. Which, for those wondering what the Egyptian hieroglyphs indicate, explains the transliteration of SAUD indicated by the hieroglyphs from the 7 o’clock position to the 5 o’clock position and AL THANI from around the 11 o’clock position to the 2 o’clock position.
𓋴 (folded cloth) for S
𓂝 (forearm with palm upwards) for A
𓅱 (quail chick) for U
𓂧 (hand) for D
𓂝 (forearm with palm upwards) for A
𓃭 (lying lion) for L
𓏏 (bread loaf) for T
𓂝 (forearm with palm upwards) for A
𓈖 (water ripple) for N
𓇋 (flowering reed) for I
As far as I am aware, no mummies from the reign of Seti I reanimated as a result of me reading out loud the hieroglyphs.
The story goes that the prince gifted the watch to a Scandinavian gentleman in exchange for him agreeing to allow him to acquire his impressive collection of ancient Greek coins. Apparently, the gifting of the watch was to have him to consider getting into collecting watches since he had agreed to part with said coins.
The watch is 34mm in diameter and is made of platinum.
The movement is calibre 315/190 which beats at 21,600 vibrations per hour with bi-directional automatic winding and a power reserve of 48 hours.
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Ref. 3998P
Admittedly, this is the first watch I’ve encountered with ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs on the dial. If you happen to have a taste for Patek Philippe watches with quirky and probably unique dials, here is something for your consideration. This watch dates to 2002 and was made for Saud bin Muhammed Al Thani, who was a Qatari Prince that served as its Minister of Culture and Arts. The chap had some clout at Patek Philippe as they agreed to this request for a personalised timepiece. Which, for those wondering what the Egyptian hieroglyphs indicate, explains the transliteration of SAUD indicated by the hieroglyphs from the 7 o’clock position to the 5 o’clock position and AL THANI from around the 11 o’clock position to the 2 o’clock position.
𓋴 (folded cloth) for S
𓂝 (forearm with palm upwards) for A
𓅱 (quail chick) for U
𓂧 (hand) for D
𓂝 (forearm with palm upwards) for A
𓃭 (lying lion) for L
𓏏 (bread loaf) for T
𓂝 (forearm with palm upwards) for A
𓈖 (water ripple) for N
𓇋 (flowering reed) for I
As far as I am aware, no mummies from the reign of Seti I reanimated as a result of me reading out loud the hieroglyphs.
The story goes that the prince gifted the watch to a Scandinavian gentleman in exchange for him agreeing to allow him to acquire his impressive collection of ancient Greek coins. Apparently, the gifting of the watch was to have him to consider getting into collecting watches since he had agreed to part with said coins.
The watch is 34mm in diameter and is made of platinum.
The movement is calibre 315/190 which beats at 21,600 vibrations per hour with bi-directional automatic winding and a power reserve of 48 hours.
Interesting watch and backstory
Is there a little diamond on the case at at 6 o’clock to indicate it is platinum? I can’t tell for sure.
You must have an equally interesting story about how you acquired this one, please feel free to share if possible.👍🏽
There is no diamond in the case at the 6 o'clock position.
The watch is not mine. I had the opportunity to handle it.
Ah, understood, thanks.🙏🏽
It’s probably because it’s a bespoke piece, the diamond wasn’t necessary perhaps.
I find this fascinating..
.. but being an Englishman in his 50’s i can’t help but revisit in my memory the Hieroglyphics clip with the late Ronnie Barker. Now that would make a great dial lol!
Indeed
Most spectacular… this 3998P was unknown to most until now. And as mentioned above consigned by the Scandinavian person who received it from the commissioner of the watch… amazingness in my world 
+1, and as you also learnt directly from the boss, T Pateks are VERY rare to come by!😂😉 In the thread linked below I gathered together all 13 (thirteen!) we’re historically aware of, and chances are we’ll need to wait a bit longer for #14 now…😄Cheers.
I’d love that! Not to mention that since ALL Titanium Pateks have traditionally been unique pieces, I’d be the only recipient as the forum moderator!😂😂😂❤️
IT IS unlikely my friend, no doubt about that! :-))) But to paraphrase with a joke someone MUCH more illustrious than me, this is a task I'll be very happy to leave to Fab the Second (or whatever else the mod who'll succeed me will be called! :-))))))
Thanks for another beautifully written and informative post! These gorgeous, unexpected, and incredibly rare timepieces are what make Patek even more unique! Here's another really special Titanium (!) version of Ref. 3998 from the same era... ;-) Cheers.
Gorgeous
But I believe your picture depicts a 3998J with unique dial
My understanding is the text on that one translates to “Helmut Newton” as the commissioner was a big fan.
Below 2 are both J with different text dials (both likely to same owner as they were sold at Sothebys in the same one collection auction):
Additionally there was a 3998T (also in the same collection) with different text again on the dial:
I assume the P in this thread was commissioned by the same gentleman… now, was there an A and a R made as well? Or just a T, a P, and two J’s??
My understanding is the text on that one translates to “Helmut Newton” as the commissioner was a big fan.
Below 2 are both J with different text dials (both likely to same owner as they were sold at Sothebys in the same one collection auction):
Additionally there was a 3998T (also in the same collection) with different text again on the dial:
I assume the P in this thread was commissioned by the same gentleman… now, was there an A and a R made as well? Or just a T, a P, and two J’s??
A reasonable guess
As to the 2 J’s produced js that one was originally intended as a gift to Mr Newton but was indeed never given away…
My apologies Keks, it was indeed the same auction but you’re obviously right on the picture of the (only) T version👍👍 I just put in the correct one now (front and back ;-) Thank you!
No worries
I just happen to notice as I am quite intrigued by these…
Interestingly the T was pulled from the 2014 auction before the sale for undisclosed reasons…
Interestingly the T was pulled from the 2014 auction before the sale for undisclosed reasons…
It’s indeed a VERY fascinating Patek topic, though one that I’m afraid will remain mostly obscure to the public, by the very nature of unique pieces (save for the occasional picture by the unruly recipient…or an auction sale down the road! :-)
For sure though, being able to commission (or even just acquire!) such unicorn Pateks is THE dream of virtually any top collector!👍🥂
Cheers.