PROPERTY OF THE ORIGINAL OWNER

27

Patek Philippe

Ref. 3938/101

Ellipse

An elegant and attractive yellow gold elliptical-shaped bracelet watch with blue dial

$8,000 - 16,000
(7 bids)
$12,000
Lot Details
Patek Philippe
Circa 1990s, Switzerland
3938/101
1’192’816
2’819’354
Ellipse
18K yellow gold
Automatic, cal.240, 27 jewels
18K yellow gold Patek Philippe bracelet, max length 190mm
18K yellow gold Patek Philippe buckle
31mm width x 35mm length
Case, dial, movement, bracelet, and buckle signed
Accompanied by Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming the production of the current watch in 1980 and its subsequent sale in 1985.
Catalogue Essay
GOOD TO KNOW

• Property of the original owner’s family


-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.
-The Patek Philippe ref. 3938/1J is a rare Golden Ellipse variant distinguished by its large size, integrated 18k yellow gold bracelet and elegant blue sunburst dial.
-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 yellow gold case. The matching woven gold bracelet is elegantly constructed and well-preserved, making this ref. 3938 a pinnacle of 1980s watchmaking.

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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