My heart resides with vintage. I am sure you guys know that by now. But every once and a while a modern or "neo vintage" watch comes across my desk that peaks my interest. That is exactly what happened one day when I say a PP 3923r that had a dial I hadn't seen before. It wasn't the same tried and true silver dial I had seen before. No. This one was different. The difference was subtle but it was there. The dial reminded me of that first generation 2526 that we all love. Now, dont get it twisted, I AM NOT saying that a 3923r Ivory dial is the same as those legendary twice baked enamel dials in the 2526. But they do share some similar visual aesthetics.
Patek describes the dial as "fond glacé ivoire, heures relies or" which translates to: ivory glazed background, gold-bound hours. What's fascinating, aside from the beautiful color, is the dial appears to be done in enamel. This is significant. It not like Patek was churning out enamel dials left and right like they had been some 40 or 50 years prior. Now archives of these Ivory dials don't specify enamel anywhere. In speaking with other collectors such as the fantastic and revered John Reardon from collectability the thought is that this dial features an enamel coating giving it its glazed effect.
Whatever the process the end result is mesmerizing.
-Niko Sitaras
ABOUT THIS WATCH:
MANUFACTURER: Patek Philippe
MODEL: "Calatrava"
REFERENCE: 3923r
SERIAL: 181xxxx
YEAR: 1990's
DIAL: An original Ivory dial. Patek describes the dial as "fond glacé ivoire, heures relies or" which translates to: ivory glazed background, gold-bound hours. It is completed by applied rose gold lapped hour indices and faceted dauphine hands.
CASE: The 32mm case is in 18kt rose gold. It is in great shape. The case remains unpolished. The hallmarks can be easily discerned, are very distinct, deep and crisp. It presents with rather even, light wear throughout the entire case.
MOVEMENT: Patek manually wound caliber 215. The service history is unknown. The watch winds, sets and runs. It was placed on a timegrapher which illustrated that the watch is keeping time within 9 seconds per day and has an amplitude of 205. The watch can be serviced for $325 plus parts if any are needed. If serviced the watch will come with a one year warranty.
BRACELET: This rare Patek Philippe 3923r is paired with pebbled sienna calf skin strap with cream stitching that we believe accents the ivory dial beautifully.
EXTRACT: No.
ACCESSORIES: None.
BOX/PAPERS: Box.
WARRANTY: None unless serviced first. If serviced the watch will come with a one year warranted dated from the completion of service. The buyer is responsible for paying for shipping.
BANK WIRE PRICE: $15,500 shipped.
