Good evening everyone.
It has already been two weeks since our new store opened. We have seen many customers visit, but how is the new store? I know I may be a little biased, but we have received many compliments that the watch displays are much easier to see than in our old store, and we have also received comments that the customer service and appraisal process was more comfortable than before. If you haven't been there yet, we look forward to seeing you.
Well, this time I would like to introduce some recommended models whose market value has risen in the secondary market since their release. We have high hopes for their future market value, so don't miss out! Please read to the end!
"Ref.5110"
"World Time"
The modern version of the "World Time" watch, Ref. 5110, was released in 2000, the start of the millennium.
Manufactured until 2006, the case materials were 18KWG (white gold), 18KYG (yellow gold), 18KRG (rose gold), and PT (platinum), and the PT (platinum) version had a blue subdial and a special diamond set at the 6 o'clock position on the case. Incidentally, it is said that diamonds began to be set in PT (platinum) cases around this time (2000).
The "Ref. 5110" has a push button at the 10 o'clock position on the case that links the hour hand, 24-hour rotating disk, and city name disk. This may sound like a simple function to some, but if you actually try operating the watch, you will be able to experience the complex mechanism.
The movement "Cal. 240 HU", which is equipped with an innovative world time mechanism and can be seen through the sapphire crystal skeleton case back, is a masterpiece that has been passed down to subsequent "World Time" models.
The case diameter is 37mm, which may seem a little small to some people, but considering the overall balance, I think it is a very easy-to-use watch. It is also very popular among fans, and there are many special watches with eye-catching blue centers on the subdials.
Currently, Commit has the 18KYG case "Ref. 5110J-001" in stock.
⇒Click here for product details
The first time I saw the "Ref. 5110" was with this model in 18KYG (yellow gold), and I remember it being sold for around 1 million yen at the time in near-new condition. Nowadays, used items with all accessories are selling for around 4 million yen, so the market price is expected to rise further in the future. If you're interested, I recommend buying one soon!
"Ref.3940"
Perpetual Calendar
The "Ref. 3940" was announced in 1985 as the next-generation perpetual calendar model, and was equipped with the famous "Cal. 240 Q" model.
This is a long-selling model that was manufactured for over 20 years from 1985 to 2006, and was available in four materials: 18KRG (rose gold), 18KYG (yellow gold), 18KWG (white gold), and PT (platinum). The case diameter is 36mm, and the case thickness is also kept low, so it gave off a modest impression when it was first released, but the overall balance is good and it has a presence that exceeds its size. It is a model that captivates watch lovers, and is also a favorite of Philippe Stern, honorary chairman of Patek Philippe.
The ultra-thin movement "Cal.240 Q" with an outer diameter of 27.5 mm and a thickness of only 3.88 mm, which can be seen through the skeleton case back, is considered to be such a perfect movement that it is also installed in the current "Perpetual Calendar". Incidentally, the watch manufactured after the late 1990s is equipped with a minor change "Cal.240/114".
Dial variations are broadly divided into three categories.
"First generation"
It is said to have been seen from 1985 to 1987, and only about 700 were produced.
The subdials at the 3 and 9 o'clock positions are small and recessed, and the colors of the dial and subdials are different.
Second Generation
It is said to have been seen from 1987 to 1989, and only about 800 were produced.
Compared to the first generation, the subdials are larger and shallower, and the colors of the dial and subdials are almost the same. The 24-hour counter at the 9 o'clock position is colored from 18:00 to 6:00 so that you can instantly tell whether it is day or night, and the leap year display at the 3 o'clock position has no lines separating the numbers.
Third Generation
On watches manufactured after 1989, the leap year numerals on the subdial at 3 o'clock are divided by a line. On early manufactured watches, the 24-hour counter at 9 o'clock is darker in color from 18 o'clock to 6 o'clock.
As an aside, until the early 1990s, the only models produced had closed case backs, but there was also a reference (model number) called "Ref. 3941" that had a skeleton back that was sold at the same time. After that, a closed case back was added to the skeleton back. *As a result, production of "Ref. 3941" has ended.
When I first handled it, I remember it was in the 2 million yen range for an 18KYG (yellow gold) model complete with all the accessories, but based on the current market, I think the third generation complete with all the accessories is in the late 8 million yen range. It seems that not only the first generation, but also the second generation is rarely seen these days, so we are not currently handling it in our store. This is a model that is a "must" purchase the next time it arrives.
"Ref.3970"
"Perpetual Calendar Chronograph"
The "Ref. 3970" was released in 1986 as the successor to the "Ref. 2499," the second generation model equipped with a "perpetual calendar chronograph."
The small calendar window at the 12 o'clock position, the registers at the 3 and 9 o'clock positions, the moon phase at the 9 o'clock position with the date display on its outer periphery, the minute scale around the outer periphery of the dial, and the dial design are all finished in perfect balance.
Only 100 of the first generation were produced, and its distinctive features include a closed snap-back case back and different colors of the subdials, giving it a classic look with a strong contrast. It's such a rare model that you may wonder if you've ever seen it at an overseas watch auction before.
The second generation was manufactured from 1986 to 1991. It has the same leaf-shaped hands and bar indexes as the first generation, but the sub-dials are the same color as the dial. It is said that most of the backs are closed with screws, and there were also models with skeleton backs in the very latter half of the production period (1986 to 1991). The "Ref. 3970EJ-051" that we sold in our shop in the past is exactly that kind of watch, and I still remember that after we posted it on our website, we received inquiries from several customers and immediately sold it.
The third generation "Ref.3970E" was released after that. The "E" in "Ref.3970E" stands for "etanche" in French, meaning "waterproof". It is a screw-down type, and is sold with a closed back and a sapphire crystal see-through back as a set. There are various theories, but one theory is that it was released in response to a series of individual orders from customers for the "Ref.3970" model's skeleton back. The dial has changed from baton-shaped indexes to triangle-shaped indexes, and the hands have changed from leaf hands to baton hands.
Some people may find the case size of 36mm a little small, but it never feels small because of its presence. It is especially popular among Japanese people with slimmer wrists. In addition, the small calendar window at the 12 o'clock position, the counters at the 3 and 9 o'clock positions, the moon phase at the 9 o'clock position, the date display on the outer periphery, the minute scale on the outer periphery of the dial, the dial design, and the layout are all perfect.
The movement that can be seen through the sapphire crystal back is the famous Lemania-based Cal. CH 27-70 Q, which fills the case and is renowned as a masterpiece. It is simply beautiful.
When our store first opened, I remember that the third-generation model in 18KYG (yellow gold) was priced at around 7 million yen, complete with accessories, but the most recent model we sold in 18KYG (yellow gold) was priced at 18.7 million yen (tax included). This is just my personal feeling, but I fear that in a few years the Ref. 3970 will become an unattainable flower. I'm not trying to encourage anyone, but I recommend that you buy it immediately if you find one.
summary
What did you think.
The "Ref. 3970EP-029" that arrived just the other day was also immediately sold after being posted.
I think all of the models introduced this time will be a hot item. There are still chances to get them now, so if you are looking for one, be prepared to act quickly! (laughs)
We hope to continue providing you with as much useful information as possible, so please look forward to the next Patek discussion!
see you!