1070
Patek Philippe
Ref. 3629
An extremely rare and well-preserved yellow gold wristwatch with onyx dial and onyx-set crown
Full-Cataloguing
- Fresh-to-the-market
- Extremely rare reference with only 7 examples known publicly in yellow gold
- Onyx dial shows no fissure and cracks
- Extract from the Archives confirms production in 1976
The present ref. 3629 is among the most eloquent expressions of the Ellipse ethos in the 1970s, a model predominantly executed with onyx dials, thereby embracing the experimentalism characteristic of that decade. Compounding its mystique, the reference is exceedingly rare: according to our research, only 6 examples in yellow gold have been identified on the market to date, making this previously unknown example the 7th to appear publicly. The other 3 known are encased in white gold, one of them also being fresh-to-the-market offered in this auction. (Please see previous lot)
The present yellow gold ref. 3629 with onyx dial, is exceptionally well-preserved. Stamped with Ateliers Réunis (Key 28), the specialist case-making workshop responsible for some of Patek Philippe's most distinctive designs, and powered by the manual-winding cal. 177, this example is extremely collectible and difficult to come across.
Stone dials are notoriously fragile, and the present onyx dial shows no signs of fissure or cracks, a testament to the care with which the watch has been maintained. The lug-less design allows the wearer to admire the perfectly proportioned case in all its unabashed geometric beauty, a fitting tribute to the Ellipse's enduring design language.
Patek Philippe
Swiss | 1839Since its founding in 1839, this famous Geneva-based firm has been surprising its clientele with superbly crafted timepieces fitted with watchmaking's most prestigious complications. Traditional and conservative designs are found across Patek Philippe's watches made throughout their history — the utmost in understated elegance.
Well-known for the Graves Supercomplication — a highly complicated pocket watch that was the world’s most complicated watch for 50 years — this family-owned brand has earned a reputation of excellence around the world. Patek's complicated vintage watches hold the highest number of world records for results achieved at auction compared with any other brand. For collectors, key models include the reference 1518, the world's first serially produced perpetual calendar chronograph, and its successor, the reference 2499. Other famous models include perpetual calendars such as the ref. 1526, ref. 3448 and 3450, chronographs such as the reference 130, 530 and 1463, as well as reference 1436 and 1563 split seconds chronographs. Patek is also well-known for their classically styled, time-only "Calatrava" dress watches, and the "Nautilus," an iconic luxury sports watch first introduced in 1976 as the reference 3700 that is still in production today.