ELLIPSE MODEL, REF. 3748⁄900, MOVEMENT NO. 1'326'779, CASE NO. 539'936, MANUFACTURED IN 1978

Introduced in 1968, the Golden Ellipse is, alongside the Calatrava, one of Patek Philippe’s longest-running model lines. Its distinctive proportions were inspired by the ‘Golden Ratio’, the ancient mathematical principle associated with aesthetic harmony and balance. Neither round nor rectangular, its softly curved form represented a daring departure from conventional watch design and became one of the defining Patek Philippe silhouettes of the period.

The present timepiece is reference 3748⁄900, the /900 designation identifying the stone-dial version of the reference. It is distinguished by an exceptionally rare lapis lazuli dial, confirmed by the accompanying Extract from the Archives, whose intense deep blue colour and naturally occurring inclusions ensure that each example possesses its own individual character.

Prized since antiquity for its rich, night-sky appearance, lapis lazuli provides a particularly striking complement to the elegant proportions of the Golden Ellipse. Only a small number of Ellipse watches were fitted with such dials, making the present example a particularly evocative expression of 1970s design. Today, vintage Patek Philippe wristwatches with hardstone dials are highly prized by collectors, both for their rarity and for the unique natural character of the material.