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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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Pin buckle

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).

Blue

Hours

Minutes

Date

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

Ellipse

Quartz

Certificate of origin

Leather

Steel

Clasp

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.

Manual

Service invoice

Yellow gold

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.

Calatrava

Extract of the archives

Rose Gold

Audemars Piguet

The Star Wheel model displays hours and minutes in a novel way on a wristwatch known as “Wandering Hour”.  Invented in the 17th century at the request of Pope Alexander VII to make it easier to tell the time at night, this watchmaking complication displays the hours using a system of satellites that gravitate along an arched minute scale. 

Audemars Piguet rediscovered this complication and introduced the “Star Wheel” model in 1991 with reference 25720, which we have here.

The 36mm yellow gold case features a polished, stepped bezel with lugs short enough to leave all the visual space for the dial. Measuring just 9mm thick, this model has classic proportions for an elegant watch. 

Reading the time may seem difficult at first glance, but in the end it's very intuitive if you only look at the hour numeral visible on the white arc and the minutes it points to above.
The lower part of the dial is decorated with “Clous de Paris” guilloché, which adds texture and particular reflections depending on exposure to the sun. The white cartouche at 6 o'clock highlights the “Audemars Piguet” brand while maintaining the balance of the dial design.

The back of the case features an open caseback to reveal the caliber 2124 self-winding mechanical caliber, decorated in the purest watchmaking tradition and featuring a 48-hour power reserve.

The design of this atypical model leaves no one indifferent, setting it apart from more conventional timepieces.

The watch is delivered complete with box, outer-box, certificate of origin, manuals and tag.

Champagne

Discover this Audemars Piguet Starwheel 25720BA Full Set available at our showroom in Geneva.

Starwheel

Automatic

Outer box

Folding Clasp

The Nautilus is certainly Patek Philippe's best-known model. Designed by Gérald Genta, who also designed Audemars Piguet's Royal Oak, the Nautilus model was introduced in 1976 and was the Manufacture's first luxury steel sports watch.

Nicknamed “Jumbo” thanks to its imposing 42mm diameter for the time, this model (ref. 3700) got off to a rocky start, and it wasn't until 1981 that the Nautilus ref. 3800 appeared as an alternative thanks to its 37.5mm diameter. This model remained in production until the early '90s, when it was replaced by the 5800 to mark the 30th anniversary of the Nautilus model. 

The Nautilus ref. 5800/1A-001 is a modern update of Gérald Genta's original design. The case, still monobloc, now features an open case back and has been slightly enlarged compared to the 3800.
The famous grooved dial retains its characteristic hue, varying from midnight blue to a uniquely deep grey/blue. The major difference is visible in the hour-markers, whose outer edges follow the curvature of the case (like modern models from this date onwards), and the hands, which are larger, both filled with luminova.

The open caseback reveals the Patek Philippe 330 SC caliber, which bears the Geneva seal.

This model, produced for only 1 year, comes from its first owner, who acquired it at the Patek Philippe Salons in Geneva in 2006. 

The watch is delivered full set with its box, over-box, Patek Philippe certificate of origin, booklets, tag and a Patek Philippe service invoice dated 2018.

A unique piece for a collector who seeks rarity and perfection.

Seconds

Patek Philippe Nautilus 5800 Full Set First Owner Serviced available at our showroom in Geneva.

Nautilus

Original papers

Stainless steel

Rolex

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 has 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. This dial features special indexes at 6 and 9 o'clock in the shape of a doorstop, hence its nickname “Doorstop”.

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

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

This watch is delivered watch only, with a white gold Rolex buckle.

Discover this Rolex Day-Date 1803/9 Doorstop Dial available at our showroom in Geneva.

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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