Why I Bought it: Patek Philippe Reference 3940P-027 Vintage Collection

November of 2018 marked a personal high point as I both served on the jury of the Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genève and took delivery of an "Unobtainable" watch, the Patek Philippe Reference 3940P-027 pictured in the photo above For context, perhaps it's best to start with a few words about what this watch is: as a member of Patek Philippe's Vintage Collection, it is a strictly limited "New old stock" re-issue of a long-discontinued Patek Philippe classic reference with some unique twists In my pal Terry's watch portfolio taxonomy, this piece falls directly into the foundational category: a watch that can be a bedrock piece within a collection and that should stand the test of time regarding importance, appeal, and value stability.

While it would be a bit boring if one's collection consisted entirely of foundational watches, they complement the "Fun" and "Patronage" parts of a collection and allow a bit of adventure in the rest of one's assortment After asking for, and receiving, the blessing of Patek Philippe management to buy the watch I went through a "Selling-to-buy" cycle to raise the needed funds before traveling to the Patek Philippe Geneva Salon in November of 2018 for delivery day Let's start with the delivery process: there's just something about picking up a new watch in the presence of one or more buddies and doing it at the spiritual home of Patek Philippe at 41 Rue du Rhône that is as delicious as icing on the cake.

While I'm certainly a fan of Caliber 240 Q, which powers the Reference 3940, I won't be regaling you with descriptions or even photos of it as it is concealed behind the solid platinum case back that is the standard fitment for the 3940P I haven't had the temerity to pop off the case back and check out the movement, so among other things I can't confirm first hand that this watch has a Geneva Seal movement as fitted to the white gold/salmon dial Vintage Collection 3940s made at the time of Patek Philippe's London Grand Exhibition. . Source