Patek Philippe Perpetual Calendar

What you’re looking at is arguably one of the most beautiful perpetual calendar watches ever made, full stop. And perhaps one of the most important, too.

The reference 3940 was born in 1985, at a time when the watch world was in the midst of the Quartz Crisis and most brands were churning out inexpensive, battery-powered watches — and struggling to stay afloat. Alas, Patek Philippe was never one to follow the crowd, and released the ref. 3940 perpetual calendar with an in-house, micro-rotor-equipped automatic movement — a gauntlet drop if ever there was one.

Made in several series and different metals, the watch we have here is in fact not a 3940. Housed in a 36mm yellow gold case, this piece is lugless, and set on a bracelet instead of a strap. Bearing the legendary reference 3945, it features a sapphire crystal, signed crown, a polished bezel, and one hell of a dial: Silver with yellow gold dauphine hands, it has a combination month/leap year indicator at 3 o’clock; a moon phase/date wheel at 6 o’clock; and a day/24-hour indicator at 9 o’clock. Simple, elegant and refined, it’s a design that was positively revolutionary in the 1980s, and still looks stunning today.

This 3945/1J is powered by the in-house Patek Philippe Calibre 240Q movement with micro rotor, and comes equipped with a beautiful Patek Philippe integrated 18K yellow gold bracelet with Patek locking clasp.

Exquisite.

If you’ve always appreciated the significance and beauty of the 3940, but desired something with a bit more character and flair (if that’s possible), look no further than the 3945, one of the rarest, and most beautiful references in Patek’s storied historical catalog.