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The Golden Ellipse dilemma (incl. new olive green models)
Last December, I had the opportunity to try on several Patek Philippe Golden Ellipse models, references 3738 & 5738.
I started with the white gold model with a grey dial, ref. 3738/100G-012.
Gorgeous and very elegant on my smaller 16 cm wrist, but maybe just a little too small?
Case dimensions: 31.1 x 35.6 x 5.9 mm.
Next, the rose gold model with a black dial, ref. 5738R-001.
It too is gorgeous and, even though it's slightly larger (34.5 x 39.5 x 5.9 mm) I really like it on my wrist.
Side by side: it was absolutely impossible for me to choose my favorite...
During the same session, I also tried on this ref. 3938/1, but it didn't appeal to me at all.
All three watches together.
And with my 5098P, which still had its grey strap at the time.
A little later, at the Patek Philippe Salon, I was able to try on the platinum 5738P-001.
It's incredibly gorgeous and, even though I'm not particularly drawn to blue dials, I fell in love with it at first sight.
But one little thing keeps bothering me...
... this watch has an automatic movement and, even though I admire the 240 caliber, an automatic watch isn't really me preference or what I'm looking for...
I've been thinking about it constantly ever since and I'm still stuck on this point: an automatic watch doesn't really appeal to me...
Shortly after, I was able to try on both the 3738/100G-012 and the 5738P-001.
This time, the 3738 had a black strap, not brown, which changes its appearance quite profoundly.
And, once again, I was won over by the platinum model.
This time, comparing them side by side, I felt a preference for the platinum 5738.
And now Patek Philippe has just released such a duo with a sunburst olive green dial and a shiny olive green calfskin strap.
Here's the ref. 3738/100G-014...
... and the ref. 5738G-001.
On the same man's wrist, the 3738 on top and the 5738 on the bottom...
... and on two different wrists, one female, the other male.
Next, the rose gold model with a black dial, ref. 5738R-001.
It too is gorgeous and, even though it's slightly larger (34.5 x 39.5 x 5.9 mm) I really like it on my wrist.
Side by side: it was absolutely impossible for me to choose my favorite...
During the same session, I also tried on this ref. 3938/1, but it didn't appeal to me at all.
All three watches together.
And with my 5098P, which still had its grey strap at the time.
A little later, at the Patek Philippe Salon, I was able to try on the platinum 5738P-001.
It's incredibly gorgeous and, even though I'm not particularly drawn to blue dials, I fell in love with it at first sight.
But one little thing keeps bothering me...
... this watch has an automatic movement and, even though I admire the 240 caliber, an automatic watch isn't really me preference or what I'm looking for...
I've been thinking about it constantly ever since and I'm still stuck on this point: an automatic watch doesn't really appeal to me...
Shortly after, I was able to try on both the 3738/100G-012 and the 5738P-001.
This time, the 3738 had a black strap, not brown, which changes its appearance quite profoundly.
And, once again, I was won over by the platinum model.
This time, comparing them side by side, I felt a preference for the platinum 5738.
And now Patek Philippe has just released such a duo with a sunburst olive green dial and a shiny olive green calfskin strap.
Here's the ref. 3738/100G-014...
... and the ref. 5738G-001.
On the same man's wrist, the 3738 on top and the 5738 on the bottom...
... and on two different wrists, one female, the other male.
I find it striking that the two watches appear to be the same size, when the small one is worn on a small wrist and the other on a larger one.
Two wrist shots of the 5738G-001.
As for the last one, I have my doubts: I would tend to think that it's a 3738, but Fratello is unfortunately not very clear on this point...
Two wrist shots of the 5738G-001.
As for the last one, I have my doubts: I would tend to think that it's a 3738, but Fratello is unfortunately not very clear on this point...
credit: Fratello (1 & 8), Kristian Haagen (2-4), Deployant (5), @alekswatches (6) & Swisswacthes Magazine (7)
In conclusion, I'd say I'm really struggling with the Golden Ellipse dilemma.
The model that made the strongest impression on me is the platinum one, ref. 5738P-001.
And since its size doesn't bother me, it's probably the one I'd go for... if only it had a manual movement (which, I know, would mean a larger crown).
It might sound silly, but with its automatic movement, it doesn't appeal to me enough to consider acquiring it.
What are your thoughts about the size, the movement, the metal, the color?
Thanks for reading.
Best, Emmanuel
PS: The other Golden Ellipse model that impressed me greatly is the version with a rose gold bracelet, ref. 5738/1R-001.
But unfortunately, it too has an automatic movement, of course.
The Golden Ellipse dilemma (incl. new olive green models)
Last December , I had the opportunity to try on several Patek Philippe Golden Ellipse models , references 3738 & 5738 . I started with the white gold model with a grey dial , ref. 3738/100G-012 . Gorgeous and very elegant on my smaller 16 cm wrist , b...
P/Blue/57
I understand your dilemma — I went through the same thing myself. For me, it came down to two things: the size and the metal/dial combination. On your wrist, the 57 definitely looks better. And in terms of aesthetics, the platinum with the blue dial ( the...
Thanks a lot for sharing your impressions and experience.
I'm fully with you concerning the 5738P: it's the one which made the strongest impression on me, if I leave aside the fascinating 5738/1R-001 (with which I also fell in love)... But the automatic movement remains a determining factor for me, reducing the ...
Hi Emmanuel, The contrast is best for the
rose gold IMO. You now have many shaped watches to pursue 😉👍
The rose gold version I feel in love with is the 5738/1R-001.
But I keep getting stuck on the automatic movement, which doesn't appeal to me. But I should see this as an advantage because it means that the Golden Ellipse is ultimately not for me (one less model to pursue)! 😊🌸 Best, Emmanuel ...
To me, Ellipse should be as per older yellow gold / blued gold dial and relatively small. I understand though you like the Pt version, however I am not a fan of the "cabochon' on the crown.
As it comes to movement, they are mostly manual, but as long as it is the nice cal. 240 I would not neglect an automatic version. Lastly, I am afraid the olive green dials will go out of fashion one day or another. The Ellipse is a fully elegant watch the...
Thank you for sharing your thoughts!
I understand how you feel about the cabochon: not my favorite part either, but not a real problem. On paper, I also think that small and YG would be the way to go. But in real life the two models which blew me away were the 5738P and et 5738/1R: both amaz...
Thank you! I completely agree with you
except that they all have an automatic movement and, therefore, don’t appeal to me as fully as I would like them to, unfortunately… Best, Emmanuel
I think the best looking on your wrist
Is the white gold with grey dial. I also do like this green dial version as well.
The white gold 3738 looks great indeed,
but it’s the platinum 5738 which appealed to me the most! Best, Emmanuel
Platinum definitely has that allure
I find the smaller size looks better to my eyes. Either way these are all top class pieces 👍
The plat/blue would fit great in your collection, quattro.
For me, it'd be either the slate or blue dial here. The smaller slate/white version might be best for my wrist. I've been waiting for the right vintage Ellipse to come along, manual or automatic. One of these days, hopefully...
The 5738P is the one which made the strongest
impression on me (with the rose gold bracelet model 5738/1R-001, about which I have posted separately a year ago). But the automatic movement is unappealing to me. Best, Emmanuel
I love the new green version....
But totally agree that this watch deserves a manual winding movement. Thanks a bunch for yet another wonderful pictorial! Cheers, Filip
Thank you, Filip!
I haven’t seen the green versions yet, but they look beautiful. Best, Emmanuel
I see your point about the automatic on such a dressy watch...
...but to balance that out, it has no seconds hand : ) I tried on the Olive dial version last week. Beautiful color, but I wonder if I would tire of a strong dial color? I really wish they had a yellow gold version. I wanted to see the new-ish reference w...
The bracelet version 5738/1R-001
is absolutely wonderful: I fell in love when I tried it on… ...
I have yet to see one or try it on...
...and it is waaaay too flashy for me. But part of me thinks that this would be the ultimate IDGAF (I don't give a fig) daily driver...
Too flashy for me too: I wouldn't consider wearing such a watch on a daily basis, and especially not at work.
That said, it's one of the most appealing pieces I've ever seen.
Always been enamored by the ellipse.
All look good. I don’t know if I could pick without seeing them on the wrist, as you said the canvas can make all the difference. A 5738J with blue dial would be a dream for me.
A J with blue dial would be a great return
to the OG model. But would it work well in the larger size of the 5738? Maybe. Best, Emmanuel
These are such beautiful and classic watches.
While I’m not a buyer, I def admire these models.
I love them, but with the automatic
movement I’m not enamored enough: there’s a little something important missing for me. Best, Emmanuel
Speaking for myself:
I think the white gold grey dial 3738 on brown strap, the first one you showed, is the clear winner. I covet one myself.
It’s wonderful, not doubt about it.
But the two models I really fell in love with are the 5738P and the rose gold bracelet model 5738/1R-001. The impact of these models in person is phenomenal. Best, Emmanuel ...
Hi
My 2c I loved the new bracelet when I tried the new 5738 r but the price was prohibitive I went back to the original yellow gold blue dial I have no issues with the automatic model Very slim and discrete The manual model was a touch small Here is my 3738j...
It's wonderful. I love it.
But I enjoy hand-wound watches so much more than self-winding that the automatic movement is a no-go for me, unfortunately. I don't see the point in spending so much money on a watch that I won't have the pleasure of winding daily. It's just me, of course...
Automatic vs manual…..
Emmanuel: For me, if the case back is closed like in these watches, it matters little if it’s automatic. When the case back is open, I would love the rotor to not hide the beauty of the movement. Just curious as to how you are thinking about the automatic...
I love the daily ritual of winding my watch:
I love the tactile sensation, the sound, the sensory connection with the watch and its movement. It's an essential aspect of what I appreciate in watches, which is why it makes no sense for me to spend so much money on an automatic movement. I made an exc...