Patek Philippe 3970 vs Patek Philippe Perpetual Chronograph 5004 Comparison Review

Patek Philippe Perpetual Chronograph 3970 | Patek Philippe Perpetual Chronograph 5004

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Patek Philippe Perpetual Chronograph 3970 vs Patek Philippe Perpetual Chronograph 5004 Watch Review

One of Patek Philippe’s best know Perpetual Calendar Chronograph watches is the Reference 3970 model produced for nearly 20 years from 1986 to 2005.

The Patek Philippe 3970 combines two watch complications: The Perpetual Calendar, which tracks the day, date, month, moonphase & leap year, with the Chronograph complication used for timing racing with this stop watch feature.

The Patek Philippe 3970, an outstanding example of a watch with multiple complications, has an even more complicated companion in the Grand Complication line of Patek watches: the reference 5004 model – produced from 1996 to 2011 – The two watches are near twins in overall appearance but the Patek Philippe 5004 has the additional complication of the

split-second chronograph. The Split-second chronograph (also known as a Dopple-Chronograph, or Rattrapante) allows the user to time multiple fractions of an event, or multiple 2nd competitors stopping and starting independently of one and other, through the use of an additional pusher in the crown.

A closer look at these examples in our collection will show some their similarities and differences:


Both models throughout their production lifetimes had some dial variations. In these two examples it is easy to see differences in the hour-markers and the shape of the hands but you can see that the layout of the dial and placement of the sub dials are identical.

The dial displays a continuous subsidiary seconds dial, a 30 minute chronograph register, and indication of the day, date, month, cycle of the leap year, 24 hour AM/PM and the phases of the moon.


Both watches have a 36mm case diameter. The overall shape of the case and lugs are the same. Both watches feature a movement under glass sapphire crystal caseback and an additional interchangeable solid case back.

There are two slight differences: the Patek Philippe 5004 split-second Chronograph has slightly protruding corrector buttons on the side of the case while those of the Patek Philippe 3970 are flush with the case. Also the Patek Philippe 5004 case is slightly thicker – this was needed to house the additional mechanical complication of the split-second Chronograph.


One of the most easily recognizable differences between the watches is the crown. In order to operate the Split-Second Chronograph an additional Chronograph button is needed. This button is located in the center of the winding crown in the Patek Philippe 5004.


Both watches are based on a Lemania 2310 movement and much of the mechanism is identical in the two watches. When you look closely at the movements of both watches though through the sapphire crystal back, you can see the additional complication of the split second near the center of the movement on the Patek Philippe 5004.

Chronograph vs Split-Second Chronograph

The main difference of course between the two watches is in the functionality of a chronograph watch versus a Split-Second Chronograph watch. A regular chronograph watch works as a stop-watch to time an event. Pushing the top button at 2 o’clock activates the chronograph and the center second hand begins timing.

Pushing the top button again will stop and restart the chronograph. With the Chronograph stopped pressing the bottom button will reset the chronograph to zero.

The Split-second Chronograph also works in this same way when timing a single event. It has two center Second hands that travel around the dial in unison. Pressing the center button in the winding crown will stop the first hand while the second continues around the dial. Pressing the center button will re-synchronize the two hands. This type of timing could be useful for example if you are timing someone
running laps around a track you could time their overall time while also timing an individual lap.

The Patek Philippe Ref. 5004 Split Second chronograph is the most complicated model in Patek Philippe's line of stopwatches and demonstrates their expertise in the manufacture of highly complicated timepieces.
Take a look at the rest of our Patek Philippe models on our website-- https://www.grayandsons.com/fine-watc...