Exclusive Timepieces 22 – 23 April 2023 | Monaco
Auction Details
The Monaco Legend Group team has put together an astonishing selection of rarities in the horological field. From the Unique Piece Rolex Yachtmaster, former property of the late President of Rolex Patrick Heiniger, to an outstanding example of the Patek Philippe 2523-1. Not to mention the great selection of rarities destined for Middle Eastern market, such as a Rolex Submariner and Daytona from the Sultanate of Oman and a steel Daytona with UAE emblem on the dial.
Many thanks to Auro Montanari, alias John Goldberger, Roberto Randazzo and George Pakkos for their significant help in supervising the catalogue and to Eric Tortella for his assistance in searching for some of our rarest Patek Philippe watches in his database and releasing his passport of authenticity for them.
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Session I: Saturday 22 April, 2:30 PM – lots 1 to 100
Session II: Sunday 23 April, 10:30 AM – lots 101 to 164
Session III: Sunday 23 April, 2:30 PM – lots 165 to 261
143 Patek Philippe Iconic and Very Attractive, Ellipse, Wristwatch in Yellow Gold, Integrated Mesh Bracelet, With Original Certificate, Reference 3978/019
Estimate: € 12,000 – 24,000
Sold € 14,300
Model: Ellipse
Reference: 3978/019
Case Material: Yellow Gold
Bracelet Material: Yellow Gold
Year: 1993
Movement: Manual
Caliber: 215
Case N°: 2 921 382
Movement N°: 1 833 067
Dimensions: 29 × 34 mm
Signed: Dial, Case and Movement
Accessories: Cerificate of Origin
In the world of watchmaking, there are two opposing schools of thought. The former sees the high production numbers of a watch prevailing, favoring the mass distribution and the detriment of a more basic and classic style. The second, instead, opts for an almost obsessive attention to detail and design, setting aside the great productions to the detriment of a product that aims at excellence. The latter is precisely the vision that has moved Patek Philippe since 1839. With an annual production of only around 60 000 copies including all references, the goal is not to leave even the slightest detail to chance. Nowadays around 170 watchmakers work for Patek and each of them realizes no more than 120 pieces a year. This vein of attention brings continuous ideas from the first day and immortal models are born following this thought. Among them is the Ellipse, launched in 1968 and now deeply rooted in Patek production. The reference 3978 is one of those more recent examples but that does not abandon the style of the past years. Elliptical case silvered dial with gold hands and hour markers and a sense of inner harmony very pleasing to the eye. The present lot is one of the nicest ever seen thanks to its almost untouched conditions. The mesh braided bracelet has been realized in yellow gold following the idea of perfection and is completed with the original Patek Philippe deployant. The case with its unmistakable subtile and rounded edge is the emblem of elegance, the iconic silvered dial is perfect with the aforementioned applied yellow-gold baton numerals and the subsidiary dial for seconds at 6 o’clock. This is a “Sigma dial” Ellipse, indicating the hour markers are made of gold. Accompanied by its certificate of origin confirming the movement, case material, caliber and reference this watch is the epitome of Patek’s elegance and perfection.