Patek Philippe - The Geneva Watch Auction: XIV Geneva Friday, November 5, 2021 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Patek Philippe
    Year: 1976
    Reference No: 3748
    Movement No: 1'321'690
    Case No: 531'172
    Model Name: Ellipse
    Material: 18K yellow gold
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 215, 18 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Leather
    Clasp/Buckle: 18K yellow gold Patek Philippe buckle
    Dimensions: 27mm Width, 32mm Length
    Signed: Case, dial, movement, clasp and cufflinks signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by Patek Philippe "Ellipse" 18K yellow gold cufflinks, service invoice dated December 27, 2005 and travel pouch. Furthermore delivered with Patek Philippe extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch in 1976 and its subsequent sale on November 6, 1976

  • Catalogue Essay

    Launched in 1968, the "Golden Ellipse" is the line of timepieces in continuous production for the longest time at Patek Philippe (without considering the perpetual calendar/chronograph lineage, which is not an official model in itself). The case design is based on the Golden Section, a mathematical ratio (1:1.6181) present in nature and which has been considered since antiquity as the epitome of geometrical harmony, so much so that many works of art - the most famous example possible being Athen's Parthenon - incorporate it.

    It is then a hard task (actually, it appears to be mathematically impossible) to find a more balanced and eternal design as this one, which is probably why the Golden Ellipse represents in the mind of many collectors the perfect example of the refinement elegance and understatement the brand is famous for.

    While originally launched with a blue dial, soon different versions appeared such as the present bronze dialed example. Exuding warmth and charm and accompanied by the fully matching - including a bronze insert in tone with the dial of the watch - cufflinks, the present example is an ideal proposal for the collector of fine, high-end evening timepieces.

  • Artist Biography

    Patek Philippe

    Swiss • 1839

    Since 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.

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Σ81

Ref. 3748
An exquisite and eclectic yellow gold wristwatch with sunburst bronze dial and matching cufflinks

1976
27mm Width, 32mm Length
Case, dial, movement, clasp and cufflinks signed

Estimate
CHF5,000 - 8,000 
€4,700-7,500
$5,400-8,600

Sold for CHF17,010

Contact Specialist

Alexandre Ghotbi
Head of Watches, Continental Europe and the Middle East Director
AGhotbi@phillips.com

The Geneva Watch Auction: XIV

Geneva Auction 5 & 7 November 2021