Watch of the Week: Patek Philippe Golden Ellipse 5738/51G

Based upon the so-called “Golden Ratio” made the Patek Philippe Golden Ellipse quite stir at the watch fair in Basel, Switzerland, when it was introduced there in 1968. Ancient Greek mathematicians already concluded that applying the ratio of 1 / 1.6181 resulted in great beauty, whether it was in architecture or art. The Golden Ellipse proved that this was also true in watches. Ever since its introduction, it has been a staple in the collection of Patek Philippe with a loyal following. Today the watch still looks as elegant and stylish as it did when it was first launched, and one can only conclude that it has a timeless sense of beauty. That doesn’t mean that Patek Philippe leaves it as it is, as the watch is also a perfect canvas to create something extraordinary, like the reference 5738/51G.

The main feature of this Golden Ellipse is the dial. Patek Philippe utilized rare metiers d’art to create something extraordinary. For this, the brand uses the demanding champlevé technique. They first carve out the white gold dial to create cavities and fill them with a very fine powder of black glass, which is then fired at high temperatures to make enamel. The gold that is still visible in relief is then further hand-engraved. After polishing everything to perfection, a very expressive dial in an arabesque decor comes to life.

As the Golden Ellipse is a rather sober yet refined design by itself, it is perfect for highlighting such exquisite crafts. More so as there are no lugs to distract, with the strap attaching to the back of the watch. Inside the white gold case ticks caliber 240. This movement features a yellow gold micro-rotor and has a height of only 2.53mm. As a result, Patek Philippe can keep the overall thickness of the Golden Ellipse to 6.58mm, adding even more refinement. An elegant crown set with an onyx cabochon is a fitting finishing touch to one of the most exquisite versions of this legendary watch to date.