Manufacturer: Patek Philippe Year: 1972 Reference No: 3566/1 Movement No: 1’173’219 Case No: 2’726’391 Model Name: Ellipse Material: 18K white gold Calibre: Manual, cal. 175, 18 jewels Bracelet/Strap: 18K white gold Patek Philippe bracelet, max length 185mm Clasp/Buckle: 18K white gold Patek Philippe folding clasp Dimensions: 28mm width x 28mm length Signed: Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed Accessories: Delivered with Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming the date of manufacture of the present timepiece in 1972 and its subsequent date of sale on 24th May 1973.
Catalogue Essay
I imagine this as the most perfect tuxedo watch possible. Its slim profile and compact size allow the incredible and eye catching textures of the piece to stay on the right side of beautiful but not ostentatious. It is so well preserved that I never had the heart to cut the bracelet to allow my wrist to fit it. It is quite literally in unworn condition. - Mark Cho
To the new owners of the watches in the sale: The Armoury will custom-make the winner one of The Armoury’s signature garments as a gift. For further details please visit the link below.
- The Patek Philippe Ellipse ref. 3566 is an interesting model that steers clear of the conventional rules of what a classic dress watch should look like. Launched in 1966, this eye-catching icon enjoyed a successful 11-yearlong production run that eventually ceased in 1977.
- Boasting prominent Patek Philippe proportions, the present example further stands out with its exquisite bark-finished silvered dial and a matching integrated herringbone bracelet, providing a seamless connection that complements the dial. Encased in white gold measuring at a 28mm long and 28mm wide, the watch is fitted with a thin cal. 175 which allows for a slim profile that can slide through any tight cuff.
- Delivered with a Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives, the present Ellipse ref. 3566/1 is a timeless and well-preserved specimen from 1972 that is still as stunning as the day it was born.
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.