The Golden Age

A hallmark of fine craftsmanship and timeless design, the Patek Philippe Golden Ellipse is celebrated as a storied horological icon on its 50th anniversary

- 

The year 1968 was a turbulent one in many parts of the world. But for timepiece manufacturer Patek Philippe, 1968 marked the birth of the Golden Ellipse. One of the oldest timepieces in the collection, the Golden Ellipse is second only to the iconic Calatrava, which was launched in 1932. The elliptical case’s balanced proportions were inspired by the Golden Mean, a mathematical ratio (approximately equal to 1.618) often employed by artists and architects—such as in the case of structures like the Parthenon— to create what is believed to be the most aesthetically pleasing shape. A departure from what was typical of its contemporaries, the understated yet timeless Golden Ellipse was regarded as a cult model of sorts in the watchmaking world. Having survived five centuries of passing trends in style and technology, the Golden Ellipse watch is still in a league of its own today.