Sometimes, a watch is just a watch. And sometimes, it’s a true piece of art.

In 1968, Patek Philippe released the Golden Ellipse. Debuting eight years before the iconic Nautilus, the Ellipse — with its distinctive oval shape — was unlike anything else in Patek Philippe’s catalog. Its shape, which falls somewhere between that of a circle and a rectangle, was meant to be a departure from the more conventional watch case designs of the preceding 70 years. And the design was highly considered: Based upon the “golden ratio” of the ancient Greeks, its proportions are particularly pleasing to the eye. 

This particular example, a reference 4920-2, is wildly rare. It features a 32mm 18K yellow gold elliptical case with a woven 'rope' finishing and is paired to a matching stylized bracelet with a signed locking clasp. Furthermore, it has an exotic lapis lazuli stone dial with a matching stylized handset, a signed crown, and Pateks Calibre 12-250 manual winding movement within.

This is more than a timepiece — it’s a museum piece, an extraordinary work of horological art, and there is no saying when one of these will show up again!