Patek Philippe

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From personal experience, when sent in for service at Patek, 3970s with the small bottom chrono hand have come back with a big bottom chrono hand.  Also, have seen factory sealed 3rd series 3970s with both the big and small bottom chronos hands.

Considering the meticulous documentation Patek goes through in their manufacture and service, I am really puzzled that they just go ahead and replace the chrono sec hands during the service without asking the permission of the owner. The new bigger bottom sec hand does change the way the watch looks. It is a small change, but change nevertheless. Unless Patek states this change in their service papers, I wonder how the owners react to it. The bigger bulbous bottom do block the 31st date, and I do not like it. The owners should be consulted before such a cosmetic change is performed and be documented.  All the earlier Patek books and manuals on 3970 show slender chrono secs. Therefore I cannot help but ask: What is going on  with the second hands ? Were the original slender chrono hands defective in design ? 

You should understand exactly what you are speaking about. Patek makes slight changes all the time which is why there are 1st, 2nd, 3rd series etc. Patek doesn't make mistakes in assembly as you suggested in earlier post. Their quality control is second to none! As for variances Patek used the second chrono hand with wider bottom beginning in 3rd series and have carried that through with other PC Chrono's. My 3970 was bought new and is a 3rd series and came with the second chrono hand. Again- before you start ranting and going on a tirade perhaps do a bit more homework.