3970EP, 'Small Hallmark' Second Series, Perpetual Calendar Chronograph, Platinum

A Second Series 3970 in platinum. Just 11 Second Series examples were produced in platinum, the rarest standard production metal. Well-preserved here, the 3970 succeeded the 2499 in 1986, the most significant contribution of Philippe Stern’s tenure over the brand. It features a 36mm Ateliers Réunis case, Lemania ébauche calibre CH 27-70 Q, feuille hands of Early Series, ‘American Typewriter’ font, and warmer Argenté dial of Early Series. It is the Perpetual Calendar Chronograph that did more with less; despite a smaller size and greater degree of information displayed than the 2499 that preceded it, the 3970 succeeded in making immense complication not just easily understood, but beautiful.