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The Patek Philippe Calatrava ref. 3579 is a watch in a class of its own. This model stands out as a significant departure from Patek Philippe's typical design language of the time...

Patek Philippe 3579 Steel

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Cartier

Pin buckle

Cartier is undoubtedly one of the most renowned and influential jewelry and watch brands in both fields. It is also primarily recognized as a brand more focused on design than the chronometric performance of its movements, like other traditional watchmakers. Iconic models such as the Tank, Santos, Baignoire and Panthère are still celebrated today for their timeless aesthetics, setting Cartier apart in the watchmaking world.

The Tank is Cartier's most iconic model. Introduced in 1917, but not put on sale until the end of the war in 1919, its design is inspired by a Tank Renault FT-17 seen from above. Certain elements have remained unchanged since its creation: the two vertical stretchers that extend the case and allow integration of the bracelet, the railway minute track and Roman numerals on the dial, and the sapphire cabochon on the winding crown. 

The model we have here is a slight departure from the rule, as it does not feature the iconic chemin de fer minute track. These slight variations over the years preserve the historical features while playing with the constraints to create new models.

This model, created exclusively for the European market and crafted in platinum, celebrates 170 years of Cartier and is naturally limited to 170 pieces.

The main feature of this model is its blue-gray dial, whose design is inspired by the Art Deco period. The dial's laser-engraved patterns and shades of blue add depth and life to the dial, depending on the angle of inclination and the light. The dial is enhanced by four oversized Arabic numerals and rhodium-plated steel sword-shaped hands.

This model is equipped with the hand-wound mechanical caliber 1917MC, which has a 38-hour power reserve.

The watch is delivered with box, outer case, international warranty card and manual.

Blue

Hours

Minutes

Discover this superb Cartier Tank Platine Europe CRWGTA0121 available at our showroom in Geneva.

Tank

Manual

Outer box

International warranty card

Leather

Platinum

Patek Philippe

Introduced in 1968, Patek Philippe's Ellipse owes its design to no accident. 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.

The dials, made by specialist Singer for Patek Philippe, offer a simple yet striking contrast between the yellow gold hour-markers and hands and the blue dial with its sunray finish.

Over the course of its production, four different types of dial were used. We have written a full article on this subject, which you can read [here](https://www.41watch.com/blog/revue-historique-de-la-patek-philippe-ellipse-n178).

Our example is fitted with an MK3 dial, recognizable by its domed hour markers and hands, as well as the “Sigma σ” symbols visible at 6 o'clock on the dial. The “Sigma σ” symbol, introduced in the 1970s by the Association pour la Promotion Industrielle de l'Or (APRIOR), highlights prestigious manufactures that use precious materials for their watches, and indicates that the indexes are solid gold, as is the dial for this model.

This version of the Ellipse, whose dimensions are very close to those of the original model, is equipped with a hand-wound mechanical movement, caliber 215, which appeared in 1974 and is still in use today. Caliber 215 was the first to be equipped with Gyromax, operating at 28,800 beats per hour. This movement boasts remarkable stability over long periods, making it ideal for everyday use.

The watch comes with a full 2024 service invoice and a Patek Philippe travel pouch.

Discover this superb Patek Philippe Ellipse 3848 available at our showroom in Geneva.

Ellipse

Service invoice

Yellow Gold

Piaget

Clasp

Piaget's catalog of the past is a true masterpiece of style. The models are not only eye-catching, they also feature textures that can be truly breathtaking when experienced in person. 

Piaget has made a name for itself in particular thanks to its quest for the extra-flat since the 1950s, with the 9P movement unveiled in Geneva in 1957, which was acclaimed for its thinness at just 2mm thick and its elegance, as well as for its performance and reliability.

Weighing 170g in white gold, this 34mm model features an **onyx** dial creating a superb contrast with the white gold case. The bezel is also set with **36** brilliant-cut diamonds.
Beneath the dial, the mechanical self-winding caliber 12P is equipped with a micro-rotor for added finesse, and has a power reserve of around 40 hours.

Reference 12336 identifies the model and C20 specifies the type of finish on the case and bracelet. The same as a similar model [we recently had](https://geneva.41watch.com/catalogue/piaget/heritage/1777-piaget-heritage-brutalist). 

What's more, given the complexity of the craftsmanship involved in creating these bracelets, reproducing these pieces today would entail substantial costs for manufacturers.

This watch comes with a 2024 Piaget service invoice (2-year warranty) and a Piaget travel case.

Black

Discover this rare 1975 Piaget model with onyx dial available at our showroom in Geneva.

Heritage

Automatic

White gold

White Gold

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.

This particularly rare version of the Ellipse is made of **steel**, an alloy rarely used by Patek Philippe for these classic models, and features a bezel with a “Clou de Paris” decorative motif of small pyramid-shaped reliefs. 
Slightly larger than the original model, 28.6mm wide compared to 27mm, it features a date function at 3 o'clock and is equipped with a quartz movement, caliber E 23 SC. 

The dials, made by specialist Singer for Patek Philippe, offer a simple yet striking contrast between the yellow gold hour-markers and hands and the blue dial with its sunray finish.

Over the course of its production, four different types of dial were used. We have written a full article on this subject, which you can read [here](https://www.41watch.com/en/blog/revue-historique-de-la-patek-philippe-ellipse-n178).

Our example is fitted with an MK2 dial, recognizable by its domed hour markers and hands, as well as the “Sigma σ” symbols visible at 6 o'clock on the dial. The “Sigma σ” symbol, introduced in the 1970s by the Association pour la Promotion Industrielle de l'Or (APRIOR), highlights prestigious manufactures that use precious materials for their watches and indicates that the indexes are solid gold, as is the dial for this model, creating an interesting contrast with the steel case.

The watch comes with its Patek Philippe certificate of origin (dated 1989 in Geneva).

Date

Discover this superb Patek Philippe Ellipse 3931 Certificate of origin available at our showroom in Geneva.

Quartz

Certificate of origin

Steel

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.
In 1968, the collection began with references 3546 and 3548, which were produced until 1976.

Our example, reference 3548, is the first ref. to be produced, and features a superb yellow-gold mesh bracelet. The dial features a rare “SOMAZZI” signature, a well-established Patek Philippe retailer in Lugano, Switzerland, and models bearing this retailer's name are particularly rare.

The dials, crafted by specialist Singer for Patek Philippe, offer a simple yet striking contrast between the yellow gold hour-markers and hands and the blue dial with its soleillée finish.

Equipped with a hand-wound mechanical movement, caliber 23-300, this movement is respected today as one of the finest hand-wound movements ever produced by Patek Philippe. It has a power reserve of over 40 hours and was replaced in 1974 by the caliber 215. 

The watch comes with its original box, the Patek Philippe certificate of origin (dating from 1972 at Somazzi in Lugano), a manual and a 2019 Patek Philippe service invoice.

Discover this superb Patek Philippe Ellipse 3548 Somazzi Full Set available at our showroom in Geneva.

Yellow gold

Introduced in 1932 with ref. 96, the Calatrava collection was designed in the spirit of the Bauhaus aesthetic, emphasizing simplicity, elegance and functionality. It is considered by many to be the most elegant and timeless classic watch ever created, distinguished by sleek dials, elegant hands and balanced cases. 

Ref. 5196, available from 2004 to 2022, takes up all the codes of its ancestors with baton hour-markers, dauphine hands, small seconds and slim lugs, but features a 37mm-diameter case. Reference 5196R has an 18-carat rose gold case (hence the designation “R” for rose gold at Patek Philippe). 

The heart of the watch is the mechanical hand-wound Calibre 215 PS movement, which offers high precision and a 44-hour power reserve.

This model embodies the refined, timeless aesthetic of the Calatrava collection, making it the perfect choice for those who appreciate understated elegance.

The watch is available with a Patek Philippe archive extract (to follow).

Silver

Small second

Discover the Patek Philippe Calatrava model reference 5196R available at our showroom in Geneva.

All models

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Patek Philippe 3579 Steel

Our Complete Collection

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Patek Philippe 3579 Steel

Our Complete Collection

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Wrist Impression - MB&F LM101

History - F.P. Journe Chronometre a Resonance

"First wrist impression" articles