Patek Philippe

18k, damascened nickel lever movement (cal.28-255), 36 jewels, free-sprung gyromax balance, adjusted to heat, cold, isochronism and 5 positions, blue satin finished dial, applied white gold faceted baton numerals, oval polished case with hidden lugs, case, dial and movement signed, with a stainless steel Patek Philippe Ellipse buckle, accompanied by an Extract from the Archives and later black leather covered anniversary Patek Philippe presentation case and card outer box.

The accompanying Extract from the Patek Philippe Archives confirms that this wristwatch was manufactured in 1973 and sold on September 30th, 1975. This wristwatch was serviced at Beyer in November 2005 and a copy of the invoice is included with the lot.

Production of reference 3605 began in around 1971 and ceased circa 1975. Very rarely seen in white gold, only 3 such examples are known from the market.

In a promotional pamphlet of the mid 1970s, Patek Philippe explained its design as follows: "The temples of ancient Greece owe their harmonious proportions to an architectural rule: the Golden Section. From this rule the designers of Patek Philippe obtain a beautiful and distinctive oval. They call it the Golden Ellipse".