Introduced in the late 1960s, the Patek Philippe Ellipse was inspired by the Golden Ratio, referred to as the ‘Divine Proportion’ by Luca Pacioli. An observed ratio in nature, the Golden Ratio is said to be an aesthetically balanced ratio used on the human body, trees, and more. With the Ellipse, Patek made the ratio of the major to the minor axis 1.618 to 1 — the golden ratio, de divina proportione. The same shape is applied to the pin buckle, which itself is an ellipse.
Debuting eight years before the iconic Nautilus, the Ellipse — with its distinctive oval shape — was unlike anything else in Patek Philippe’s catalogs. During the 1960s and 1970s, the Ellipse line became emblematic of the era for design and signaled an elevated level of taste, particularly given the popularity of function-first tool watches that defined the 60s for many.
The Ellipse featured a new design immediately recognizable as luxurious in a changing industry. Keep in mind that the Ellipse launched just before the quartz crisis. Patek was well aware of what was coming, and responded preemptively with a banger. The Ellipse became the watch to have if you were successful. Today, the Ellipse remains an excellent value in the world of vintage and neo-vintage Patek Philippe.
This particular ellipse isn’t your conventional piece, however. A ladies masterpiece on a mesh bracelet executed in 18K yellow gold, this watch features a beautiful blue dial and a Patek Philippe Calibre 16-250 manual-winding movement.
It’s watches like this Reference 4151 that let us rest assured that we are giving our female customers the greatest offerings in the world. This exceptional piece is the intersection of Patek’s watchmaking acumen and their artisan bracelet manufacturing.
An Ellipse on a leather strap is a solid choice for any occasion. However, an Ellipse on an integrated bracelet is seemingly more our style!