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Wrist Impression - MB&F LM101

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Vacheron Constantin responded with the Mercator, launched in 1994 to commemorate the 400th anniversary... 

Vacheron Constantin Mercator

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Patek Philippe

Pin buckle

Introduced in 1968, the Ellipse owes its design to no coincidence, since it is based on the golden ratio, considered the “divine proportion” found in nature and in the greatest works of architecture and art. 

Originally manufactured by dial-maker Singer for Patek Philippe, the bronze-colored dial varies with the light and features a soleillée finish. This color blends perfectly with the rose gold of the case, creating a contrast that is both extremely simple and striking.

Throughout the production process, 4 different types of dial were used, and we have written a full article on this subject, which you can discover [here](https://www.41watch.com/blog/revue-historique-de-la-patek-philippe-ellipse-n178)

Our example is fitted with an MK4 dial, recognizable by the domed hour-markers and hands and the “Swiss” visible on the dial at 6 o'clock. 

This “Jumbo” version of the Ellipse is equipped with a mechanical self-winding micro-rotor movement, caliber 240, which made its debut in this model, reference 3738, in 1977, nine years after the launch of the collection.

This was the first self-winding generation to introduce the legendary micro-rotor caliber 240. A true horological feat, this Manufacture caliber preserves a case of unrivalled finesse while providing a power reserve of around 45 hours.

The watch is delivered with its Patek Philippe archive extract (on order).

Brown

Hours

Minutes

Discover this superb Patek Philippe Ellipse 3738/100 available at our showroom in Geneva.

Ellipse

Automatic

Extract of the archives

Leather

White Gold

Rolex

Folding Clasp

The Rolex Cosmograph was launched in 1963 for racing drivers, and the word “Daytona” appeared a year later when Rolex became the sponsor of the Daytona 24-hour race in Daytona Beach, Florida.

Introduced in 2004, the reference takes up the proportions of the 116520 steel model, with a case slightly revised at the lugs, as is the case for the gold versions, and features a silver-gray dial with applied black Arabic numerals. The black sub-dials feature red numerals and hands reminiscent of the “Daytona” inscription, as well as the central chronograph seconds hand, creating an interesting contrast and ensuring good legibility. Made in white gold, this model weighs 200g with all links.

Equipped with caliber 4130, this movement offers a 72-hour power reserve, a 44% increase over the previous generation. This evolution is made possible by the enlargement of the main spring, thanks to the use of a single chronograph module that frees up space.

This watch is delivered with its box, outer-box, original Rolex warranty dated 2007 (code France), manuals, calendar, tag and bezel protector.

Silver

Small second

Chronograph

Discover this superb Rolex Daytona 116509 Cadran Racing available at our showroom in Geneva.

Daytona

Outer box

Manual

Original papers

White gold

Introduced in 1968, Patek Philippe's Ellipse owes its design to no accident. In fact, it's based on the golden ratio, considered the “divine proportion” found in nature as well as in the greatest works of architecture and art.

This model, reference 3582, is more atypical than the classic versions. It features a rectangular case with rounded corners and a slightly recessed central elliptical dial to display the hours and minutes.

The blue dial has a matt grained finish, unlike the sunray finish more common to the Ellipse collection. The case maker's hallmark, Geneva key no. 4, visible inside the case back, represents that of Antoine Gerlach, best known to collectors for having made the first precious metal cases for the Calatrava ref. 96 and cases for the Patek Philippe “Padellone” ref. 3448.

This model is equipped with Caliber 23-300, a hand-wound mechanical movement appreciated by collectors for its reliability.

The watch comes with a Patek Philippe archive extract (on order).

Blue

Discover this superb Patek Philippe Ellipse 3582G available at our showroom in Geneva.

Introduced in 1968, Patek Philippe's Ellipse owes its design to no accident. Indeed, it is based on the golden ratio, considered the “divine proportion” found in nature as well as in the greatest works of architecture and art.

Ref. 3589 made its debut in 1970, coinciding with the advent of larger, more prominent cases. This reference was available in a variety of materials and dial styles, but this configuration is arguably the one that stands out most from the rest thanks to the way the indexes and numerals on the dial are made, by being hollowed out, giving extra depth compared to the variants with applied or painted indexes more common at the time. 

The dials, crafted by specialist Singer for Patek Philippe, offer a simple yet striking contrast between the yellow gold indexes and hands and the blue dial with its sunray finish. 
The “Sigma σ” symbol on the dial at 6 o'clock was introduced in the 1970s by the Association pour la Promotion Industrielle de l'Or (APRIOR), and highlights prestigious manufactures that use precious materials for their watches and indicates that the dial and hands are in gold for this model.

This version of the Ellipse, much larger than the original model, features a 32.5 x 36mm yellow gold case with a polished elliptical bezel and a slightly wider case with a sunray finish.

Another singularity is that this Ellipse is powered by the 28-255 automatic caliber, the same movement that notably equips the Nautilus 3700, underscoring its durability and which was among the finest calibers of its time. 

The watch comes with an extract from the Patek Philippe archives (on order).

Discover this superb Patek Philippe Ellipse 3589 available at our showroom in Geneva.

Yellow Gold

Audemars Piguet

Introduced in 1972, the first Royal Oak ref. 5402 was designed by one of our most prolific watchmakers, Gerald Genta. Inspired by a scuba diving helmet and designed in one night, this model had no precedent at the time: a 39 mm steel case that earned it the nickname “Jumbo”, and its impressive price tag of CHF 3,750 - more than ten times the price of a Rolex Submariner.

Parallel to the production of the iconic Royal Oak, a smaller version of this watch was launched around 1976/1977, ref. 4100. A few generations apart, ref. 14790 was produced from 1992 to 2006. 

This example, produced in 2001, features a “Mark 2” dial, in keeping with the era, recognizable by the “Petite Tapisserie” dial and “Audemars Piguet” typography with the A and P in capital letters. 

With its integrated case and bracelet, the watch appears larger on the wrist than its 36mm diameter would suggest. The combination of steel and gold makes this model a Royal Oak that blends sportiness and luxury with a unique aesthetic, typical of the 1980s/1990s.

This model is equipped with the 2225 automatic caliber, which has a power reserve of around 40 hours and a stop-second for precise adjustment.

The watch comes with an archive extract and a 2018 Audemars Piguet service invoice.

Grey

Seconds

Date

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak 14790SA grey dial available at our showroom in Geneva.

Royal Oak

Service invoice

Gold & Steel

Launched in 1956, the Day-Date was the first watch to simultaneously display the day and date through an opening in the dial. Rolex has never shied away from its association with influential personalities, including a number of presidents, which earned this model its nickname.

With a diameter of 36mm, reference 1803 was produced from the early 1960s to 1977. It was the first generation of Day-Date to be produced for more than 15 years. The main feature of this model is its domed “Pie-pan” dial and domed Plexiglas crystal. On this precise model, the dial features a graduated minute track and a particularly attractive grey/cream matte finish.

The Rolex caliber 1555 has a power reserve of around 42 hours and is not equipped with the crown-operated quick-date system, a feature that appears with the following reference 18038 and caliber 3055.

The “President” bracelet fitted to this watch was introduced when this model was launched in 1956. This model is also equipped with a folding clasp with invisible clasp, an option available at the time, but more expensive than the classic version with cap.

As soon as this model was launched, Rolex offered a choice of 25 different languages for the day display, English being the most commonly used worldwide.

Discover this superb Rolex Day-Date 1803/8 available at our showroom in Geneva.

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Vacheron Constantin Mercator

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Vacheron Constantin Mercator

Our Complete Collection

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Wrist Impression - MB&F LM101

History - F.P. Journe Chronometre a Resonance

"First wrist impression" articles