How Patek Philippe is celebrating the iconic Golden Ellipse's 50th anniversary

What do the Parthenon, the works of the late Swiss architect Le Corbusier and the Patek Philippe Golden Ellipse wristwatch have in common? Their proportions were apparently inspired by the principles of the golden section - a ratio of approximately 1 to 1.6180 - which was first discovered by mathematicians in ancient Greece and thought to be the foundation for harmoniously balanced design Little wonder then that Golden Ellipse fans, such as Michael Kwan, a senior adviser with Japanese trading giant Itochu, and Paris-based watch aficionado Dan Souffir, are all praise for the timepiece - which made waves with its distinctive, rounded-rectangular form when it was launched in 1968 Describing it as the "Embodiment of horological perfection", Souffir enthusiastically recalls what it was like upon seeing a Golden Ellipse on the cover of a watch magazine in 2008: "It was love at first sight.

I've always liked classical watches The watch was classic and simple, and the shape was very original and harmonious." Four years ago, at a Parisian pre-owned watch shop, he found a Golden Ellipse to call his own: Ref While its fans swoon over its form, the creation of the Golden Ellipse was about more than just achieving mathematically perfect proportions.

While the Golden Ellipse has remained part of Patek Philippe's core collection, it has in recent years taken a back seat to the brand's more popular models such as the Nautilus and the Aquanaut - with a decade having passed since the launch of the last new Golden Ellipse in 2008 With 2018 being the 50th-anniversary year of the Golden Ellipse, Patek Philippe's second watch family has been brought back into the spotlight with two beautiful new editions: Ref Says Souffir: "I simply love the new 5738R, with details like the deep colour of the ebony sunburst dial and the onyx cabochon on the crown, and how the size is more adapted to today's standards.

And although it is a bit more difficult to wear, the limited edition is a great work of craftsmanship I'm thankful that this anniversary has enhanced the Golden Ellipse collection, which is so Patek, but which has been a little forgotten nowadays." . Source