Patek Philippe - Double Signed: A Celebration of the Finest Partnerships of Manufacturers and Retailers Geneva Friday, November 8, 2019 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Patek Philippe
    Year: 1978
    Reference No: 3604
    Movement No: 1'305'375
    Case No: 2'754'803, case further engraved with retailer N° 230943Z3
    Material: 18K white gold
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 28-255 C, 36 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Lizard
    Clasp/Buckle: 18K white gold Patek Philippe pin buckle
    Dimensions: 35.5mm Length, 35,5mm Width
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed, dial further signed Beyer
    Accessories: Accompanied by Patek Philippe presentation box, original certificate of origin typed Chronometre Beyer, dated March 20, 1980, Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch in 1978 and its subsequent sale on June 30th, 1978, product literature and orange wallet.

  • Catalogue Essay

    Launched in 1968, the original Golden Ellipse design was influenced by the so-called “golden section” discovered by ancient Greek mathematicians and whose “divine” proportions inspired numerous artistic and architectural masterpieces throughout the centuries. By the late 70s, the Golden Ellipse collection encompassed more than 60 different references, from large masculine watches to high-jewelry ladies’ pieces. The Ellipse is now the second oldest model in Patek Philippe’s collection still in production after the Calatrava.
    The present “TV-Screen” Ellipse, reference 3604 was produced in 1978, which was the last year of production for this reference. The clean design of this watch is further enhanced by its shimmering blue dial beautifully complemented by white gold indexes. The use of caliber 28-255C, the same movement that powered the first Nautilus, enables the case to be extremely thin while enjoying the easy use of an automatic caliber. Resolutely part of the 70s design code, it is very easy to imagine this piece on the wrist of an elegant yet disruptive man such as Andy Warhol.
    Further stamped with the retailer’s signature Beyer on the dial, this watch is offered as a full set. Watches retailed by Beyer at this time would have an internal stock number. This number would be hand engraved on the back of the case, completed by the code Z3 for Beyer Zurich and the stock number would be penciled on the guarantee. This watch retains this original guarantee matching the number on the caseback. It also comes with its box, product literature and a Patek Philippe wallet. To the best of our knowledge, it is the only white gold reference 3604 retailed by Beyer ever to surface on the market.

  • Artist Biography

    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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Σ42

Ref. 3604
A very elegant and masculine cushion-shaped white gold wristwatch with blue dial, box and original guarantee

1978
35.5mm Length, 35,5mm Width
Case, dial, movement and buckle signed, dial further signed Beyer

Estimate
CHF10,000 - 20,000 
€9,200-18,400
$10,100-20,100

Sold for CHF21,250

Contact Specialist
Virginie Liatard-Roessli
Specialist, Head of Sale
+41 76 338 91 03
vliatard@phillips.com

Double Signed: A Celebration of the Finest Partnerships of Manufacturers and Retailers

Geneva Auction 9 November 2019