Wife said I can buy Patek perpetual calendar Bday- questions about 3940 clear backs

[theflywrist]

Originally Posted by bearxj86

Especially at 36mm I think colored gold has more wrist presence

This, along with the “warmth” that the YG offers are why I went with the 3940J.
Ultimately the 3940 is beautiful in all metals. I waited till I could try them all on before making my decision, and then started my “hunt” for the right example.
I went with the “classic” yellow gold dress patek. Don’t regret it at all.

[Classique Breguet]

Ok,

I will reluctantly admit --The gold moon on the platinum IS reallllly magical....

I'm still strongly leaning toward the warmth of the yellow gold though.

[Classique Breguet]

Can I ask a favor of you guys?

Could you please educate me what the 3 different generations look like/what is different about them?

Photos would help.

I'm aware the 1st gen has sunken 3 and 9 subdials, no lines between the leap year numbers and no different day/night color on 3 o clock dial.
Approx 7000 units made of all gens combined.

I "must" have the clear back, and prefer the 2nd gen look to the 1st gen.

How is the 3rd gen different from the 2nd gen?

[Classique Breguet]

Seems we are getting much closer to pulling the trigger.

Might anyone know where I can try one on? I live in the SF Bay area, but can travel a bit to Vegas, etc to try one one.

Or maybe someone in the SF Bay Area has one and I can buy you a nice dinner- or maybe a sail on the bay on my sailboat :0)

[Dr.Stu]

Originally Posted by Classique Breguet

Can I ask a favor of you guys?

Could you please educate me what the 3 different generations look like/what is different about them?

Photos would help.

I'm aware the 1st gen has sunken 3 and 9 subdials, no lines between the leap year numbers and no different day/night color on 3 o clock dial.
Approx 7000 units made of all gens combined.

I "must" have the clear back, and prefer the 2nd gen look to the 1st gen.

How is the 3rd gen different from the 2nd gen?

I researched this reference a few years ago when I fell in love with the watch but ultimately didn't buy it. I would have had to part w/my 5059J & at the time I was not ready to do that.

The Series I dial, has the months around the 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock chapter rings applied on the dial around (outside) the circumference of the step-down, shaded, and sunken chapter rings, which makes the sub-dials optically appear even much smaller than they are. In the subsequent series the months are included within the circumference of only slightly stepped-down chapter rings, which are then sloped to another lower, concentric ring for the numbers, which brings them closer in size to the moon phase sub-dial. That, for me, is the most "modernizing" feature of the watch and the main reason the Series I is more vintage in appearance. (It is more vintage.)

Additionally, the positioning of the leap year numbers and, as you noted, the lack of lines between them, is different. In the Series I, the "4" is directly under the "JAN" (at the 12 o'clock position), whereas in later series' the leap year numbers are shifted so they fall into 4 quadrants, with the "1" in the JAN-MAR quadrant (etc.). Not sure why they did this, but it seemed odd to me not to have the "1" at the 12 o'clock position. I read somewhere that now the position of the leap year number also indicates the business-quarter as well (probably coincidental).

Also, in the Series I, the longer hands of the chapter rings are gold and indicate the day and month, and the shorter black (blued?) hands indicate the 24-hour time and the year in the leap year cycle, respectively. In some of the later series the colors of these hands is reversed. There are also some "transitional" variations & some differences could be related to the case material. I've also seen shading of the bottom half of the 3 o'clock sub-dial and variations in the color of the moon & stars.

There was actually a lot about this reference on line b/c it was the daily wear of Philippe Stern. You might have more luck searching "first series" or "series 1", as they are less commonly (though sometimes) referred to as "gen 1" or "generation 1"

Sorry I can't help you with a West Coast source.

[Classique Breguet]

Thank you for that info.

I think the 3rd series is the one I'm liking the best.
I've now read quite a bit more about these online.
Hopefully I can report back if I'm able to take the next step quickly.

[Classique Breguet]

Patek purchases paused.

Wife looking at buying sailboat for her 50th

She is partial to Swans...never dull in this household

[Bearxj86]

Originally Posted by Classique Breguet

Patek purchases paused.

Wife looking at buying sailboat for her 50th

She is partial to Swans...never dull in this household

wat (*whip cracking sound*)

[Classique Breguet]

Take a step back and see the forrest:


Which would you rather have
-Your patek
or
-unlimited use of "her" new Swan sailboat?

Would you rather have
-your skateboard
or
-unlimited access to "her" Bentley?

By "hers" I mean- It was "her" idea ;0)~