8035
Patek Philippe
Ref. 3738/122
Ellipse
An elegant and attractive yellow gold elliptical-shaped bracelet watch with blue dial
- Estimate
- HK$70,000 - 140,000€7,700 - 15,300$9,000 - 17,900
HK$152,400
Lot Details
- Manufacturer
- Patek Philippe
- Year
- Circa 1980s, Switzerland
- Reference No
- 3738/122
- Movement No
- 1’199’181
- Case No
- 2’958’097
- Model Name
- Ellipse
- Material
- 18K yellow gold
- Calibre
- Automatic, cal. 240, 27 jewels
- Bracelet/Strap
- 18K yellow gold Patek Philippe bracelet, max length 195mm
- Clasp/Buckle
- 18K yellow gold Patek Philippe buckle
- Dimensions
- 31mm width x 35mm length
- Signed
- Case, dial, movement, bracelet and buckle signed
Specialist
Full-Cataloguing
Catalogue Essay
- The Ellipse's oval form is inspired by the "golden section", a mathematical proportion revered since ancient Greece for its architectural and artistic mastery. First launched in 1967, this audacious shape pioneered an enduring icon for Patek Philippe.
- Introduced in 1978, the ref. 3738 became one of the longest-running and most iconic references in Patek Philippe’s history. Its production spanned four decades, during which it was offered in various dial and bracelet options. Over its lifespan, the model underwent several key updates, and the evolution of the cal. 240 movements—particularly in the later models—brought significant improvements in performance and power reserve, ensuring that the Ellipse remained a functional and highly desirable timepiece throughout its production.
- This enduring legacy highlights not only Patek Philippe’s commitment to precision and innovation but also the brand’s mastery in combining technical excellence with timeless design. This example features the iconic blue dial, complementing a two-piece snap-back Favre-Perret yellow gold case. The matching beads of rice bracelet is elegantly constructed and well-preserved, making this ref. 3738 a pinnacle of 1980s watchmaking.
- Introduced in 1978, the ref. 3738 became one of the longest-running and most iconic references in Patek Philippe’s history. Its production spanned four decades, during which it was offered in various dial and bracelet options. Over its lifespan, the model underwent several key updates, and the evolution of the cal. 240 movements—particularly in the later models—brought significant improvements in performance and power reserve, ensuring that the Ellipse remained a functional and highly desirable timepiece throughout its production.
- This enduring legacy highlights not only Patek Philippe’s commitment to precision and innovation but also the brand’s mastery in combining technical excellence with timeless design. This example features the iconic blue dial, complementing a two-piece snap-back Favre-Perret yellow gold case. The matching beads of rice bracelet is elegantly constructed and well-preserved, making this ref. 3738 a pinnacle of 1980s watchmaking.
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.
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