- Movement
- Self-winding
- Size
- 34.5 × 39.5 mm
Overview
The Golden Ellipse as a canvas
The Patek Philippe Rare Handcrafts Golden Ellipse, reference 5738/50G-042, in white gold with a dial in Grand Feu cloisonné enamel and miniature painting showing Urquhart Castle on Loch Ness, on a grained coffee-coloured calfskin strap. Self-winding calibre 240, hours and minutes only; 34.5 × 39.5 mm, 6.58 mm high.
The dial of 5738/50G-042 shows Urquhart Castle on the banks of Loch Ness, built in the thirteenth century and, by Patek Philippe's account, one of the largest fortresses in Scotland. The building and the vegetation around it are outlined in about 40 cm of gold wire (~0.27 g) and filled from a palette of transparent, opalescent and opaque enamels in 41 colours; miniature painting on enamel in 4 colours adds the clouds, the mist off the lake and the waves. Each dial went through 11 firings at 820°C. Patek Philippe presents it as a limited edition of fifteen watches, in white gold on a grained coffee-coloured calfskin strap.
The reference 5738/50 is the Golden Ellipse of Patek Philippe's Rare Handcrafts collection: the elliptical case whose proportions the brand traces to the ancient golden section, here 34.5 × 39.5 mm and 6.58 mm high, with a solid case back. The dial carries only hours and minutes, read from cheveu-style hands stamped in the case metal.
The movement is the self-winding calibre 240, which Patek Philippe lists as ultra-thin: 27.5 mm across and 2.53 mm high, with 152 parts and 27 jewels, wound by a 22K gold minirotor set off-centre in the movement rather than a full rotor turning above it. It runs at 21,600 semi-oscillations an hour on a Gyromax® balance with a Spiromax® balance spring, has a power reserve of at least 48 hours and carries the Patek Philippe Seal. A calibre 2.53 mm high is what lets the case close at 6.58 mm over a dial built up in fired enamel or veneer. Patek Philippe describes the case as humidity- and dust-protected only, not water-resistant.
For collectors
Across the family the case and the movement do not change, so the executions are compared by the dial: Patek Philippe gives each one its own figures — the length and weight of gold wire in a cloisonné dial, the number of enamel colours, the firings and their temperature, or the count of veneer parts and wood species in a marquetry dial — and each is a limited series whose size the brand states. The solid case back is part of the design; the calibre 240 is not on view.
Key details
Design and engineering
- Golden Ellipse caseAn ellipse of 34.5 × 39.5 mm, 6.58 mm high, in white gold; Patek Philippe traces its proportions to the ancient golden section. Humidity- and dust-protected only, not water-resistant.
- Case backSolid, in the case metal; the movement is not on view.
- DialGrand Feu cloisonné enamel of Urquhart Castle above Loch Ness: about 40 cm of gold wire (~0.27 g) outlines the building and the vegetation, filled in 41 colours of transparent, opalescent and opaque enamel, with miniature painting on enamel in 4 colours for the clouds, mist and waves; 11 firings at 820°C.
- HandsCheveu-style hour and minute hands, stamped in the case metal.
- Strap and buckleHand-stitched calfskin, grained coffee-coloured, on a white gold prong buckle whose shape follows the ellipse of the case.
Calibre 240
- Self-winding, 22K gold off-centre minirotor
- Hours and minutes; listed by Patek Philippe as ultra-thin
- 27.5 mm across, 2.53 mm high; 152 parts, 27 jewels
- 21,600 semi-oscillations per hour (3 Hz), Gyromax® balance, Spiromax® balance spring
- Power reserve min. 48 hours
- Patek Philippe Seal
The reference
Technical specifications
| Reference | 5738/50G-042 |
|---|---|
| Collection | Rare Handcrafts |
| Calibre | Caliber 240 |
| Movement | Self-winding |
| Functions | Ultra-thin |
| Case dimensions | 34.5 × 39.5 mm |
| Case thickness | 6.58 mm |
| Case material | White gold |
| Water resistance | Not water-resistant |
| Strap | Calfskin, hand-stitched, grained coffee-colored |
| Clasp | White gold prong buckle |
| Jewels | 27 |
| Power reserve | min. 48 hours |
| Frequency | 21,600 semi-oscillations/hour (3 Hz) |
| Piece | Legendary Castle |
Buying with HYPA
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