Hong Kong, May 29, 2022
LOT 487
Patek Philippe
Ref. 3748 / 1, blue “sunburst” “Sigma” dial; “Ellipse d’Or”; 18K yellow gold
HKD 47,500 - 95,000
EUR 5,800 - 11,500 / CHF 6,000 - 12,000 / USD 6,100 - 12,100
Sold: HKD 60,000
18K yellow gold, manual-winding, vertical elliptical-shaped, gentleman’s wristwatch, with integrated bracelet.
Polished three-piece case, with snap-on case-back.
Blue colour “sunburst” “Sigma” dial with radial applied 18K yellow gold indexes.
215 calibre, Gyromax balance, self-compensating flat hairspring, adjusted to heat, cold, isochronism and 5 positions, “Poinçon de Genève” (Geneva Quality Hallmark or Geneva seal).
Polished three-piece case, with snap-on case-back.
Blue colour “sunburst” “Sigma” dial with radial applied 18K yellow gold indexes.
215 calibre, Gyromax balance, self-compensating flat hairspring, adjusted to heat, cold, isochronism and 5 positions, “Poinçon de Genève” (Geneva Quality Hallmark or Geneva seal).
| Grading System | |
|---|---|
Grade: AAA |
Excellent |
Case: 2-8 |
Very good Slightly scratched |
Movement: 2* |
Very good Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense |
Dial: 2-01 |
Very good HANDS Original |
Brand Patek Philippe, Geneva
Model “Ellipse d’Or”
Reference 3748 / 1
Year circa 1975
Movement No. 1 323 487
Case No. 2 799 675 (by Manufacture Favre & Perret S.A., La Chaux-de-Fonds)
Material 18K yellow gold
Bracelet integrated 18K yellow gold PP bracelet with clasp
Length 170 mm. (approx.)
Caliber 215
Height 32.2 mm.
Width 27 mm.
Signature dial, case and movement
Notes
Patek Philippe, “Ellipse d’or”, References 3546, 3548 and References 3648, 3746, 3748
The references 3546 and 3548 were launched in 1967 and remained in production until the mid-1970s.
The majority in yellow gold, more rarely in white gold.
A few thousand examples have been produced, available with different type of dials (especially the blue colour “sunburst” dial; an 18K gold physically transformed by exclusive Patek Philippe process) and bracelets (Ref. 3546-1, 3546-2, etc.).
The “Ellipse d’or” model was inspired by the “Golden section” (“Divina proportione” or “Proportio continua”), which is the perfect equilibrium of shapes and corresponds to the ratio 1/1.6181.
The Ref. 3546 is with lugs, while the Ref. 3548 is without visible lugs (but with a central lug on the reverse of the watch). The cases were produced by Fr. Baumgartner in Geneva but the last cases were made by Favre & Perret in La Chaux-de-Fonds.
Both references were replaced in 1976 by Ref. 3648, 3746 and 3748 (Cal. 215).
The family of the Golden Ellipse watches is still in production today, making it one of the most long-lasting models ever manufactured by the firm.
Bibliography
· Patrizzi, 2010, vol. 2, p. 235.
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“Sigma” dials
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“Sigma” dials
In the 1970s, the presence of the two Greek letters “Sigma” on either side of “SWISS” was intended to give a distinctive sign to Swiss-made dials with solid gold hour-indexes. Only members of APRIOR (Association pour la Promotion Industrielle de l’Or) were entitled to use this mark; among them, Patek Philippe, Rolex, Vacheron Constantin, IWC and Omega.