Best Deal of The Sale: From Christie’s New York
My current dream watch is the Patek 3940. It’s doesn’t surpass estimates, it doesn’t set records; it doesn’t raise all the paddles in the room, but who cares? The 3940 is hands-down one of the coolest Pateks out there. Here, today at Christie’s, I witnessed the sale of, essentially, the perfect 3940. This wristwatch is a complete set and includes everything from the original presentation box to even the tags and literature on the watch. You name it, this watch has it. This Patek is the 2nd series of the 3940 reference, making it a relatively early model, a more desirable piece.
What makes this watch so special is that it never changed hands, or, better yet wrists, since the watch’s purchase on January 16th of 1992. Subsequently, this sale is the first time this watch has been offered and auctioned off to the public. When it comes to collecting, this iconic Perpetual Calendar is a one hundred percent must-have. Even Mr. Stern sports a yellow gold 3940 and if it’s good enough for him, that says a lot about this timepiece. The watch guys at Christie’s set an estimate of $30,000-$40,000, but no, it sold for the hammer price of a mere $24,000. One could say it was a really lucky day for the winning bidder, who happens to be a dealer. Now there is someone out there with a marvelous Patek, bought for an unbelievable price, and the chance to make the flip of a lifetime. Hey, you never know if a deal like this will come your way…maybe one day.
Luke Rottman (Executive Editor: thewatchadviser.com)