{"product_id":"patek-philippe-ellipse-automatic-as12670","title":"Patek Philippe Ellipse Automatic","description":"\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThere is more to the Patek Philippe Ellipse than the familiar oval.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIntroduced in 1968, the Golden Ellipse established one of Patek Philippe’s most enduring design languages: thin, elegant, and reduced to little more than case, dial, and two hands. During the 1970s, however, Patek began pushing that idea into less predictable territory, experimenting with unusual geometries that today rank among the most interesting designs in the manufacture’s vintage catalog.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Reference 3861 is a particularly good example. Rather than the smooth oval normally associated with the Ellipse, its 18K white-gold case takes on a broad cushion shape with subtly faceted, almost hexagonal geometry and a stepped bezel. Period examples date the reference to the late 1970s, with documented white-gold versions appearing around 1979.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAgainst the cool white gold, the blue sunburst dial is spectacularly simple. Applied white-gold baton markers and slender hands are the only interruptions, allowing the changing blue finish to do most of the work. Depending on the light, it shifts from nearly black to electric blue, giving an otherwise restrained dress watch considerably more character.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eInside is one of the details that makes the 3861 especially compelling: Patek Philippe’s ultra-thin, self-winding Calibre 240. The movement uses an off-center 22K gold micro-rotor, allowing automatic winding without the thickness of a conventional full-sized rotor. Period Ref. 3861 examples are documented with the 27-jewel Calibre 240 and Gyromax balance, while the movement architecture remains one of Patek Philippe’s signatures today.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThat combination of unconventional case design and sophisticated ultra-thin mechanics makes the 3861 feel remarkably modern. It comes from an era when Patek Philippe was willing to play with shape, proportion, and color while still producing an exceptionally refined dress watch. This example is rendered in 18K white gold with a blue sunburst dial, paired with a black alligator leather strap and a matching Patek Philippe white-gold pin buckle.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFor anyone who thinks vintage Patek begins and ends with round Calatravas and conventional Golden Ellipses, the Ref. 3861 is a welcome reminder of just how sly and adventurous the manufacture could be.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Patek Philippe","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44269682982999,"sku":"40931106","price":22950.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0809\/1255\/files\/AS12670_40931106_PATEKPHILIPPE_ELLIPSEAUTOMATIC_3861--6.jpg?v=1789655499","url":"https:\/\/www.analogshift.com\/products\/patek-philippe-ellipse-automatic-as12670","provider":"Analog:Shift","version":"1.0","type":"link"}