24 Patek Philippe Rare and Attractive Rectangular Shaped Electronic Movement Wristwatch in White Gold, Reference 3603, With Sweep Centre Seconds and Date

Estimate: € 16,000 –⁠ 30,000

Sold € 21,450

Model: Ellipse Beta21
Material: White Gold
Reference N°: 3603
Year: 1970s
Case N°: 2732482
Caliber: Beta21
Movement type: Quartz
Movement N°: 8109
Bracelet: Leather Strap
Dimensions: 33 x 38 mm
Signed: Dial, case and movement
Accessories: Extract from Archives

In the light of the quartz fever, the 70’s saw a race to create quartz movements even among well-known brands of high-quality mechanical gauges. That’s how was born the iconic Beta21 movement, result of the conjuncted efforts of more than 20 Swiss watch brands, to form the Centre Electronique Horloger whose mission was to create electronic watch movements. The Beta21 has been used by many brands such as Rolex or Piaget and among them was listed also Patek Philippe whose reference 3603 soon became a must of the Swiss-polish brand. This quartz caliber was something absolutely never seen before for a company so anchored to the traditions of ancient watchmaking like Patek and this peculiarity, linked to a very special case design, contributed to make this watch immortal. The production of reference 3603 started in 1973 and ended less than 10 years later, in 1982. Mainly manufactured in yellow gold, to date less than 20 examples have appeared to auctions made in 18k white gold exactly like the present lot. The massive rectangular case, produced by Ateliers Réunis, has been definitely well preserved by the last owner keeping untouched the edges and the proportion of the whole watch. This case has represented for many years, together with references 3587 and 3597, the largest rectangular watch made by Patek Philippe until the 21st century. The dials were instead provided by Stern Frères and were produced from a massive 18k gold plate. They were available in different variants with gilt, browned or silvered finishes. The present lot has the very appreciated blue color with applied white gold baton numerals and dauphine hands with luminous material. At 6 o’clock the aperture for the date which gives this watch extra prestige and desirability. Perfectly preserved and sold with the extract from the archive, this iconic and historically important watch is a very desirable specimen for very Patek’s collection.