Patek Philippe

I am new to this forum having recently acquired a YG 3970 (previously I've been collecting vintage Rolex). A picture is hopefully attached below (but please be patient with me if it isn't, as this is my first time!). The dial is cream in colour and the watch has a screw back. I've been told that the dial may be relatively rare and I'd be grateful for any views thereon which forum members may be able to impart. Many thanks for any assistance. 

[picture link edited for larger view - SuitbertW]

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Hello,

If I am correct, you have a ref 3971, which is the earliest version of 3970, having a metallic screw-back and leaf-shaped hands. It has a short run of production before replaced by the 3970 (sapphire back and sword hands) and most are made in yellow gold.

It is a rare find. I like the leaf-shaped hands much much more than the sword-hands.

Wear it in good health!

Larry

The first version of the 3971, to the best of my knowledge, had a sapphire crystal snap back vs. screw back.

I think to say it's a 3971 is a bit inclusive. An early 3970E with screw on back is still a possibility with the baton index and feuille hands. I guess the only way to prove this is to unscrew the case back and see the engravement on the caseback.
It can be either 3971 or early 3970E.

Looking at an PP original cirtificate from 1987, movement number being within the first 100 it is refered to as a 3971 & it has a sapphire crystal snap back. Hope this is of some help.

The dial and hands on your watch are earlier (and rarer) than the final (3rd) series of the 3970 run.

The most likely possibilities of which I am aware are:

1) If the watch has just a solid back, it is likely a 3970E, 2d series. The 2d series just came with the solid back and flat hour markers and leaf hands. The 2d series is rarer than the 3rd series, but not nearly as rare as the 1st series.  

2) If it has only the see thru back and is a 3971 this is quite rare. (The fact that there is only a see thru back often results from the owner having lost the solid back for a 3970).

If the dial is truly "cream" rather than silver, that is unusual. If the dial is 2-tone, where the circles at 3 and 9 are a different color (you can see this if you tilt the watch slightly), that is very rare. As far as I know this just came with the first series snap back.

To truly illuminate what your watch is I suggest you contact Patek Philippe and get an Extract From The Archives. As a minimum, that will tell you if it's a 3970, 3970E or 3971 and will include the dates of manufacture and sale.

Hope this helps.

Best,
David

Thank you to all who responded to my queries, and to Suitbert W for re-sizing my somewhat mediocre scan.

I have ascertained that the reference number is 3970 E and that the dial is described as opalin argente, the watch dating from 1989.

Regards

I'm having trouble PM yu.  Would you e kind enough to email me at apwatches&hotmail.com .

Kind regards.