quattro
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Patek Philippe Golden Ellipse ref. 5738 & 3738
During a recent visit to the Geneva Patek Philippe Salon, I've been able to try on, among other models, the two current rose gold versions of the Golden Ellipse, ref. 5738/1R-001 (bracelet) & 5738R-001 (strap).
And I have to say that the bracelet variant appealed to me a lot: I wasn't expecting to like it as much, but the look and feel on the wrist was wonderful.
So, here's a thread with an overview of many variants (but not all, as there has been so many) of the two references of the Golden Ellipse powered by micro rotor caliber 240:
- the more recent ref. 5738, introduced in 2008 with a case measuring 34.5 X 39.5 mm
- the previous ref. 3738, introduced in 1977 with a case measuring 31 x 35.5 mm.
The watches are presented mostly in reverse chronological order (but not always).
Best to you all.
A/ REF. 5738 (introduced in 2008)
1/ Ref. 5738/1R-001 (2024)
2/ Ref. 5738R-001 (2018)
3/ Ref. 5738/51G-001 (Grand Feu black enamel dial with ornate motifs achieved by champlevé engraving - 2021)
credit: wrist aficionado (1st photo) & wind vintage
4/ Ref. 5738/50P-001 (Grand Feu black enamel dial with ornate motifs achieved by champlevé engraving - 2018, 50th anniversary model)
credit: watch collecting
5/ Ref. 5738P-001 (40th anniversary model - 2008)
credit: watchclub London
40th anniversary set limited to 100 units, including ref. 5738P-001, ref. 3738/100P-001, white gold ref. 9108G cufflinks and a specially made, white gold necklace with 69 internally flawless Top Wesselton diamonds and 29 sapphires (2008)
credit: collectability
6/ Eleven examples of ref. 5738/50G & 5730/50R with painted enamel dials (other models can be seen in this thread from GLau)
credit: watches.de
b/ Ref. 5738/50G-016 (green) & 5738/50G-015 (orange) 'Seventies' (there's a great wrist shot of the green piece by mo here, and the orange model can also be seen here)
credit: k2luxury & @swisswatches (last photo)
credit: k2luxury & @swisswatches (last photo)
c/ Ref. 5738/50G-025 (left - Snow covered landscape) & 5738/50G-024 (right - Kabuki actor)
credit: collectability
d/ Ref. 5738/50G-027 'Trees in the mist'
e/ Ref. 5738/50G-035 'Keukenhof tulips'
f/ Ref. 5738/50G-036 'Moorish gardens'
g/ Ref. 5738/50G-037 'Versailles'
h/ Ref. 5738/50R-013
i/ Ref. 5738/50R-014
e/ Ref. 5738/50G-035 'Keukenhof tulips'
f/ Ref. 5738/50G-036 'Moorish gardens'
g/ Ref. 5738/50G-037 'Versailles'
h/ Ref. 5738/50R-013
i/ Ref. 5738/50R-014
j/ Ref. 5738/50R-015
credit: Sjx
B/ REF. 3738 (introduced in 1977 and revived in 2005 - you can see the 3 models from 2005 together in this thread by anaroku)
1/ Ref. 3738/100G (2005)
credit: amsterdam vintage watches
2/ Ref. 3738/100R (2005)
credit: @watchcollectinglifestyle & maunder
3/ Ref. 3738/100J (2005)
credit: @chasingcartier & tokant (last photo)
4/ Ref. 3738/100 (1984)
credit: 41 watch
5/ Ref. 3738/117
credit: amplitude
6/ Ref. 3738/122
credit: bulang & sons
7/ Ref. 3738/001 (this particular example is from 1978)
credit: romain réa
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Patek Philippe Golden Ellipse ref. 5738 & 3738
During a recent visit to the Geneva Patek Philippe Salon, I've been able to try on, among other models, the two current rose gold versions of the Golden Ellipse , ref. 5738/1R-001 ( bracelet ) & 5738R-001 ( strap ). And I have to say that the bracelet...
I am not normally a 'bling' kind of guy...
...but the bracelet versions are really appealing for some reason. I would love to try on the newest one to get a sense of the size.
I found it stunning.
It sits perfectly on a smallish wrist like mine and it has something magical.
I have a fairly large wrist but...
...still don't want such a dressy watch to be too large...
I certainly understand that
and I imagine that the way the size is perceived has a personal dimension. All I can say is that the 5738/1R and 5738R I tried on looked perfect to me on my 16cm wrist. Best, Emmanuel
18.4cm wrist so I assume I'd be OK : )
...the bracelet on the new one looks like a work of art all by itself...
It’s exactly what it is: a work of art.
Wellendorf is doing a fantastic job (I read that they are making the bracelet).
The 5738/1R-001 was told to me by a BIG
collector that the bracelet is super comfortable ! Furthermore, the bracelet is very intricately made 👍 Are you gunning for this one ?
I would have loved to leave the salon with it: that's how much I liked it.
But I prefer to let the excitement cool down and see if I keep thinking about it in a month or two. And the 5489 would be a much more affordable option...
Another wonderful expose on the Patek Philippe Golden Ellipse.
The Aquanaut and the Nautilus which I must admit I do love tend to take all the oxygen out of the room from so many other great and historic model. I know I am simplifying a bit as many complications are also very well appreciated and covered. But your re...
Thank you so much for your very kind words.
I'm just focusing on what makes my heart beat, as we all do, and it just happens that I'm very much attracted to dress watches (or 'traditional' watches) and far less to the sportier models and to bracelet watches in general - except this incredible rose ...
One of these at the top of the list, quattro!
Have dreams about a metiers d'art piece...
The métiers d'art pieces look impressive indeed.
But it's the rose gold bracelet 5738/1R which I personally can't get out of my mind! Have a nice weekend. Best, Emmanuel
What a great post
Many models I have not seen before. I have been thinking along the lines of a 5738p for sometime as I want my next watch to be platinum and time only (although I do like seconds). I haven’t seen one in person yet but am curious the ease of different watch...
Thanks for your enthusiasm.
I agree with you that the shiny alligator strap isn't ideal and I would assume that different strap options are available. Have a nice weekend. Best, Emmanuel
Thanks for this thread
I am a big fan of the Golden Ellipse line. I tried the 5738/1R in the Paris salon. The bracelet is so beautiful and comfortable. I'm sad that they don't use the old size. I think the new ones are too big ...
Thanks for sharing your pic.
I can't get this 5738/1R out of my mind and I personally found the size perfect for my 16cm wrist (and I would say it looks good on your wrist). Some 3738 can be found on the secondary market if you want a smaller size. Best.
Thanks!
But my graal watch is a platinum rare Handcrafts. The moorish garden would be my choice as a mooccan
If special requests are possible (I don't know if they are),
you could ask for a platinum moorish garden Golden Ellipse (the one displayed in the thread is in white gold). Have a nice weekend. Best, Emmanuel
The 50th Anniversary platinum Grand Feu is one I wish I could find😔
These are all amazing GEs!
It seems to be stunning indeed,
but very hard to find (whereas there are many white gold 5738/51G available apparently). But I personally can't get the rose gold bracelet 5738/1R out of my mind...
They are, but
the sunburst ebony black is really wonderful too (not to speak of the Wellendorf bracelet).
The Ellipse 3738 is Pateks thinnest watch ... and is even an automatic watch.☝️
It is thinner than any other manual Patek. The whole watch is slimmer than a Rolex movement! To me it was, in the past, a great value piece. Thank you for this nice post.
Thanks for chiming in.
I would say it's still a very wonderful piece, even if prices have increased very much. Have a nice weekend. Best, Emmanuel
Another great expose of some wonderful examples from the great ellipse range
I tried on the 5738 with the wonderful mesh bracelet and it is like wearing liquid gold The design is absolutely sublime and an example of pateks’ magnificent combination of horology and design But truthfully I love the 3738 with the blue gold dial It spe...
I’m glad you liked the 5738/1R too and I couldn’t agree more
with what you say about it. But of course I understand why you like your 3738/100J so much: it’s gorgeous. Thanks for sharing your photos and for the kind words, Julian, and have a nice Sunday. Best, Emmanuel
I’ve always admired the ellipse but always considered it an “old man watch”.
But as I get older the more I love it. The current bracelet version is gorgeous. I saw it live once. And as always, your post is amazingly informative.
Thanks for the kind words, Gary.
Yes, the rose gold bracelet version is wonderful: I can't get it out of my mind! Best, Emmanuel