When Patek Philippe introduced the Golden Ellipse in 1968, it was the Manufacture's first new collection since the Calatrava in 1932. More than half a century later, trends have come and gone but the Golden Ellipse remains a paragon of perfect simplicity and continues to enrich the brand's collections – as illustrated by Reference 5738/1R-001, introduced at Watches and Wonders earlier this year.
Never change a winning formula. Firstly, a case whose circle-meets-rectangle elliptical shape is inspired by the Golden Ratio. Originally studied by ancient Greek mathematicians, this "divine proportion" corresponds to a ratio of 1:1.6181 and has inspired some of humanity's greatest works of art and architecture. Secondly, a minimalist dial with two central hands sweeping hour markers, sometimes with a hand-crafted decoration. Thirdly, an in-house movement. The original manually-wound movement was replaced in 1977 by the extra-thin Calibre 240 with automatic winding by an integrated minirotor.
Now proposed as different case sizes with a sunbrushed dial in a palette of shades, the Golden Ellipse has joined the hallowed ranks of watchmaking icon. It is the height of masculine elegance, paired with cufflinks in the same elliptical shape as the case.
Ultra-feminine, since this year its gold case is attached to a gold chain bracelet, crafted in Patek Phillipe's workshops, whose modern construction took fifteen years to perfect. Entirely hand-polished, the 363 elements include more than 300 links, every single one of which is assembled by hand. A bracelet as complex and beautiful as the watch itself!
