A Powerful Duo of Platinum Patek Philippe Watches

Best Used Patek Philippe Perpetual Calendar Watch Only at Gray and Sons

Get your next used Patek Philippe watch at Gray and Sons. Gray and Sons is the #1 retailer of used and pre-owned Patek Philippe watches with a large in-stock inventory. Buy, sell and repair your Patek Philippe watch at Gray and Sons, the expert used watch retailer, watch buyer and repair shop. Sell your Patek Philippe watch for cash at Grayandsons.com and Sellusyourjewelry.com

King Louis XVI of France became so enamored with platinum when he first encountered it around the 1780s that he proclaimed it the only precious metal fit for royalty. Other European royalty quickly followed suit and kings, queens, and other nobility spanning from England to Russia commissioned spectacular platinum pieces. This special white metal then took hold in the U.S. in the early-1900s and was exceedingly popular until WWII, when the government temporarily restricted its use to military purposes. Fast-forward to today, and platinum is still regarded as the finest metal to craft jewelry and watches. Thanks to its rarity, durability, and rich white luster, platinum sits in a league of its own. 

Given that Patek Philippe is often cited as the world’s finest watch brand, it comes as no surprise that it would manufacture some of the best platinum watches in the market. As such, we’ve selected two platinum Patek watches to highlight: the Perpetual Calendar Chronograph 3970EP and the Grand Complication 5496P. Many people say, “I want to sell my Patek Philippe watch for cash.” If this is you, come sell your Patek Philippe for cash at Gray and Sons. Sell your watch for cash in person or online at www.grayandsons.com or www.sellusyourjewelry.com. Gray and Sons is a specialist in buying, selling and repairing used and pre-owned Patek Philippe watches. 

Gray and Sons Used Perpetual Calendar Chronograph – Reference 3970EP

Introduced in 1986, the Reference 3970 is a perpetual calendar chronograph. Fans of Patek Philippe recognize that this complication combination is a signature of the watchmaker. The Perpetual Calendar Chronograph 3970 was produced in yellow gold, rose gold, white gold, and — just like this example here — platinum. This particular version carries the 3970EP reference number where “E” refers to “Etanche” (French for “waterproof”) and “P” is for platinum. 

Reference 3970EP has a beautifully proportioned 36mm case crafted from 950 platinum. The lugs are wonderfully curved and the chronograph pushers flanking the winding crown are of the pump variety. This particular example features an elegant silver dial, which houses slim hands and faceted and tapered hour markers. It features a traditional perpetual calendar dial display with three subdials: a 30-minute chronograph recorder and leap year indicator at 3 o’clock, date and moonphase displays at 6 o’clock, and running seconds at 9 o’clock with a 24-hour indicator. There is also a duo of windows for the day and the month right under 12 o’clock. 

The Patek Philippe Perpetual Calendar Chronograph 3970 runs on the Caliber CH 27-70 Q manual-wound movement, which supplies the watch with 60 hours of power reserve. In true Patek Philippe fashion, the Caliber CH 27-70 Q (based on the Lemania 2310 movement) is beautifully finished by hand, complete with the coveted Geneva seal.

Overall, the Perpetual Calendar Chronograph 3970EP is very much a traditional Patek Philippe high complication timepiece with a style that’s undeniably classic Patek. 

While the Perpetual Calendar Chronograph 3970 was an under appreciated reference for a long time, things have turned around for this model in the collector’s market. Over the last two years, in particular, the values of the Patek Reference 3970 have increased considerably as more collectors and enthusiasts are finally giving this timepiece the attention it deserves. 

Gray and Sons Used Perpetual Calendar With Retrograde Date Hand – Reference 5496P

Introduced in 2011, the Reference 5496 is a perpetual calendar with a retrograde date hand. While the Reference 5496P is also a platinum Patek Philippe housing several complications, it is more avant-garde (for Patek) in style than the classic-looking 3970. Rather than the typical three-subdial layout, the Grand Complication Reference 5496P features an intriguing mix of apertures, a disc, and a retrograde hand. 

The moon phase display sits on the bottom portion of the silver dial, while some of the calendar’s information is indicated via three apertures for the day (9 o’clock), month (3 o’clock), and leap year cycle (12 o’clock). Then there’s the arched date display, which has a retrograde hand that jumps back to the starting position at the start of each month. What makes the dial of the Grand Complication 5496P really sing, however, are the applied rose gold indexes and numerals that contrast dramatically with the background. Each solid gold numeral on the retrograde date display was finished and set by hand—a process that took several years to complete, but such is the Patek way. 

The striking dial is housed inside a 39.5mm platinum Calatrava-style case with a beveled bezel and tapered lugs. Plus, as a modern platinum Patek, there’s also the diamond set into the case, between the lugs at the 6 o’clock side. The sapphire caseback reveals the automatic Caliber 324 S QR movement that powers the watch, which has about 45 hours of power reserve. 

Platinum Patek Philippe Perpetual Calendars

The perpetual calendar is one of the rarest and most desirable complications to have in a luxury watch, and Patek Philippe is undeniably the master of this complication. Merge Patek’s mastery of the perpetual calendar with the exquisiteness of platinum and you’ve got a winning combination all around. 

So whether the smaller, manual-wound, and classically designed Reference 3970EP or the larger, automatic, and more modern designed Reference 5496P, these two platinum Patek Philippe watches are extraordinary examples of exceptional Swiss watchmaking and craftsmanship.  

Gray and Sons is the best place to go for buying used Patek Philippe watches, selling Patek Philippe watches, and repairing Patek Philippe watches. When you want to sell your Patek Philippe for cash, take it to Gray and Sons or www.sellusyourjewelry.com.

Just Sold By Gray and Sons
These are the most recent Patek Philippe watches sold by Gray and Sons. Have a look for yourself.

Patek Philippe World Time in 18k white gold on a bracelet. Ref. 5130G (pictured above)

Patek Philippe Twenty-4 in 18k rose gold on a brown satin strap. Ref.4920R (pictured above)

Patek Philippe Calatrava in 18k yellow gold on an alligator strap. Ref 3919 (pictured above)

Patek Philippe Calatrava in 18k yellow gold on mesh gold bracelet. Ref. 3919/5 (pictured above)

Patek Philippe Perpetual Calendar in 18k on original alligator strap with 18k Calatrava Cross deployant buckle. Mesmerizing sapphire case back. Auto w/ moonphase and perpetual calendar. 36 x 43mm case size. Complete with PP winding box, Certificate of origine, 18k case back & pin pusher. Ref 5040. Circa 1994. Fine Pre-owned Patek Philippe Watch. (pictured above)

Patek Philippe Perpetual Calendar in 18k yellow gold with a unique factory original long mesh bracelet to fit a wrist up to an 8 3/8 inches. Auto w/ date, day, month, moonphase and perpetual calendar. With Archive papers. 36 mm case size. Ref 3945/001J. Circa 1987. Fine Pre-owned Patek Philippe Watch. (pictured above)