Patek Philippe Ellipse Watches: How and Why to Collect
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- Опубліковано 27 лип 2024
- Author of Patek Philippe Reference Guide: Men’s Wristwatches John Reardon discusses all that you’ve ever wanted to know about Patek Philippe Ellipse, including how and why he thinks they make great collectibles.
The Ellipse has been a watch in the Patek Philippe Collection since 1968. Once overlooked and only comprising 1% of Patek Philippe sales, the Ellipse is now one of the most sought-after vintage Patek Philippe models.
1968 was a pivotal moment for the watch industry - the electronic quartz revolution had begun, and Philippe Stern knew his company would need to double down on traditional Swiss craftmanship, hiring some of the best bracelet makers, dial makers, case makers, and watchmakers to tell the story of Patek Philippe to the world. The Ellipse is the fruit of those efforts.
What quartz watches did was make accurate timepieces accessible. What Patek Philippe did with the Ellipse was make a “non-watch” - at this time when other Swiss watchmakers embraced the uniformity of quartz, Patek Philippe released the reference 3538 Ellipse. From the start, the Ellipse was designed as a timeless work of art, not just another watch to keep time. This trend would continue in the 70s and 80s, with the introduction of Patek Philippe Ellipse keychains, cufflinks, and lighters. Their common feature? All were handmade by the best artisans in the business, and it can be argued that Patek Philippe was kept afloat by the Ellipse family of products during a time when quartz watches usurped traditional watches’ market share.
The Ellipse is also prominent for being the first watch advertised as an investment for the future. Marketed as a $1700 trust fund in the 1970s, the Ellipse was the first watch to feature such bold language.
Ellipses feature a signature blued gold dial. It is not lapis, nor stone, but is 18-carat gold turned iridescent blue. The shape of the dial is based on the golden ratio, often called the divine proportion and found in art and nature.
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Fantastic review my friend! my favourite Ellipse is the 5738/51G. Cheers!
Long Live Ellipse Brotherhood! Thank you John, that was an amazing insight!
I never paid much attention to an Ellipse before but I have to admit, it looks pretty great in this video. Lots of charm!
archeeluxury brought me here. i have a 3545 ellipse and the cufflinks. big fan of the horizontal versions of this watch.
Lovely to see a video dedicated to the Ellipse - I have a 3548 which was designed in my birth year, and I also have a 3861 which I see laying on your desk there - terrific!
The Ellipse is the most classy and elegant watch ever produced
Thank you for your kind comment. We agree!
@@Collectability i actually recently found the ref 3567-1 and im in love with this piece of art , too bad i still cant afford it tho
My favourite watch of all time.
Hello, pleased to be here.
I started the video thinking i would have a good laugh. But in the end i wasn't laughing anymore... a seriously interesting watch. You changed my mind.
Laughter over a patek? That’s incredible.
@@AdamEve-ie3yr you must be new to watches. You obviously have never heard of the Neptune. There are other examples. Ah well, enjoy educating yourself.
@@smoothacceleration437 Obviously I have but keep educating yourself in general because you are new to reading.
@@smoothacceleration437 Also my watch collection is more expensive.Head & shoulders than yours.Good day loser.
@@AdamEve-ie3yr u sound like u are 14 years old. And I doubt u had heard of the Neptune since u had no idea it was possible to laugh at a patek. Lol
Great story telling. Thank you.
Really enjoyed this vid. Thanks John.
WOW .. very interesting history and great presentation.
Ellipse my fave.
Rock On John !
Thank you for the video
Thanks for the video, amazing story and explanation
Thank you for your kind comment. We are glad you enjoyed the video!
Interesting video, thank you. Was watching Archie Luxury and I said "John Reardon, that name sounds familiar". Sure enough Watchtime Magazine Dec 2016 interview. I would harass my wife showing her your 2525, oh man beautiful watch. Even more, this place was selling 2509R most gorgeous watch I've ever seen. Can't afford it, but some day maybe. I'll subscribe and look at past videos and website, thanks again
The Elipse is my absolute favorite Patek by far hope to own one someday day
We hope you own our favorite Patek Philippe someday too!
Great overview! Thanks
Thank you for your kind comment. Glad you enjoyed the video about our favorite Patek Philippe collection!
Hi John, thank you for the nice and good presentation on this PP watches. Could you please inform about the cal 3738/117 Ellipse d‘Or performance and value?.. thank you so much..
Hello John, I have enjoyed reading your articles on Collectability and watching the videos. Am I correct if I say the dimensions of 5738P (39.5 mm x 34.5mm) don't meet the Golden ratio?
You are absolutely correct, brilliant observation. I measured a bunch of Ellipse watches from 1968 on and there is certainly some flexibility in matching the Golden Ratio exactly within the 'family'. I call it artistic freedom at the end of the day!
I had the same doubt. I believe that the ellipse which is golden (i.e. inscribed in a rectangle whose sides’ lengths obey the golden ratio) is the dial, and not the case. If my measurements are correct, the vertical and horizontal axes of the dial respect the golden ratio (up to some decimal, of course).
Hi John,
Thanks for that interesting video. I recently discovered the Ellipse. It's such an elegant watch, which in my opinion is almost impossible to find nowadays. Especially the Ellipse in white gold with the integrated bracelet and blue dial I'm interested in (I believe that's 3738). Some also have a date function, which I find convenient. I’m trying to make more sense of the different Ellipses out there, with their corresponding reference numbers. Where could I find that information?
Thanks in advance!
Please send me an email at john@collectability.com
I wouldn’t buy one as an investment though I’d love to buy one to wear. An incredible deal as one can often pick the integrated bracelet for the gold content + $500
Because people won't on invest in it now is exactly the reason a shrewd investor might be swayed to do just that
Hi John. Great video. I am a woman who has been looking at Ellipses. I would like to find a large size one. What is the largest size that was made?
The largest two Ellipse watches are the 5738 (current production) and the 3605 (vintage). Both look great on a man or a woman!
Hi
I have Ellipse 3605/1 on gold braclet..what is worth of that watch now ? i can send you picture just tell me where.. Thank you.. great channel.
=Hi, Mirko! Did You sell You Ellipse? I’m searching one for me-please e-mail me charitylawhelps@gmail.com=
Hi! What is the exact reference of the Ellipse 3838 with aut. mvmt. cal. 240 in yellow gold on gold bracelet? What price range is this watch? Thanks in advance! Cheers!
The ref 3838 is a quartz Ellipse caliber, price range 4-8k USD depending on condition.
Hey John in today’s market how much should we expect to pay for a fine watch like this -15k?
Thank you for your question. Ellipse watches are still good value and a time only strap watch can be found for under $10K. We currently have a beautiful example ref. 3738/6J on a gold bracelet for $12,500 collectability.com/product/patek-philippe-yellow-gold-ellipse-bracelet-watch-ref-3738-6j/. Keep an eye on our website collectability.com as we regularly find new Ellipse watches.
Hi John, can U tell me roughly in total how many Ellipse 3548J was produced ? Just curious about how rare & low the numbers it was manufactured by Pp. Thank you very much 🙏🏻😉
Hi Jim, Thanks for your question. We don't have production numbers available for the ref. 3548J. It was produced together with the ref. 3546 from 1967 - 1976 (then replaced with the ref. 3746). As with all series Patek Philippe timepieces, the final production numbers would have been relatively small, even for a successful watch such as the ref. 3548J. Hope this helps!
@@Collectability : Ok noted with Thanks 👌🏻👍🏻😄
How much should I expect to pay for a 3738J full set and great condition on leather strap ? It's hard to find but some are asking 20+k USD and it's absurd for me
Hi Aaron, Normally I would say around 15k usd but prices are VERY strong right now with Ellipse.
How much? You were about to say how much you can get them for and got distracted into talking about the golden ratio.
Please check out www.collectability.com to see the current Ellipse prices. thanks!
It’s certainly an acquired taste. Personally not for me. Great marketing;)
I have 5738r , nice and comfort watch, vintage and minimal design makes it my daily watch🥸
Hi John, I just remembered I saw in Hms Victory Battle Ship ⚓, on the first deck of the cannon guns ( below deck ) I can see the wood beams arches that curve like a half ellipse shape ~ what a antiquated design that's ellipse ! Enjoy 🤗👏🏻👍🏻💪🏻🖱️📎🅾️0️⃣👤