Patek Philippe Golden Ellipse Ref. 3545 / 2 with archives

Maker: Patek Philippe
Model: Ellipse white gold 18k
Reference: 3545 / 2
Year: 1971
Case No: 2708061
Movement No: 1211788
Material: 18k white gold, blue dial (sigma dial) with decorated pattern
Dimensions: 32mm width x 27mm height; 6.2mm thickness
Crystal: Sapphire
Lume: No
Caliber: Patek Philippe, manually-wound, caliber 23-300
Bracelet/Strap: Patek Philippe, 18k white gold bracelet and Patek Philippe buckle
Lug Width: 19mm
Service History: N/A, running at 8.8 sec/day
Box/Papers: Extract from the Archives from Patek Philippe and Patek service pouch for watch

Alongside the Calatrava, the Ellipse is one of Patek Philippe's most recognizable dress watches. The minimalist aesthetics of the oval-shaped case with simple baton hour markers and hands have been in the company's collection since 1968. It's been a great success and has been offered in various metals, sizes, dial colors, and movements to appeal to a larger audience who desire a simple yet well-appointed dress watch. The design of this model is said to be based on the golden ratio derived by ancient Greek mathematicians. In the face of the looming quartz crisis, Patek made a conscious effort through the 1960s to acquire Switzerland's best craftsmen, whom the brand had traditionally hired on a third-party basis, bringing world class bracelet, dial, and case manufacturing under one roof and under the Calatrava cross. The brand saw its Ellipse collection, designed and developed by these now in-house makers, as a work of art more than a timepiece. Advertisements of the era marketed the Ellipse as a "non-watch," explaining that "people who merely need to know the time of day will choose a watch, not a Patek Philippe."

This example of the Ellipse boasts a lot of the positives of the collection, like the inherent mathematical beauty combined with a stunning white gold bracelet which adds a good heft to the wrist. Finally, a calling card of the Ellipse collection is the signature blued gold dials, like the one we have here. This particular example features insanely intricate waffle dial which is truly a work of art that is awe inspiring.

This Patek Philippe is overall in excellent condition. The archive dates this watch with a manufacture date of 1971 with the watch being sold on June of 1972. The case is  most likely unpolished with very light scratches throughout. The hallmark is still crisp in the side case near nine o'clock. The dial and hands are in flawless condition. The dial has the sigma logo beneath the six o'clock markers, signifying that the hours markers are made in white gold. The Patek Philippe 18k white gold bracelet is in great condition along with its Patek stamped clasp. The dial, crown, case, movement, and bracelet are all signed by Patek Philippe. This is a fixed length bracelet and the clasp has three micro adjustments that will be a perfect fit for a wrist size from 17cm-20cm. This watch was photographed on a 16.5cm/6.5inch wrist.

Ships from Japan