Patek Philippe
Patek Philippe Golden Ellipse "White Roman Dial"
28.5 mm x 33.5 mm · Manual · 1980s
The Golden Ellipse is legendary for its case proportions, designed using the ancient mathematical principle of the "Golden Ratio." This reference 3978 is highly sought after by purists due to its glossy enamel-white dial finished with painted black Roman numerals.
Specifications
$19,700Available
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Box and papers. Where a piece includes them, the listing says so. If they are not mentioned, please assume they are not supplied — ask us and we will confirm exactly what accompanies this watch.
Winding & servicing
- Wind the watch once daily, ideally at the same hour and with the watch off the wrist so the crown stem is not stressed at an angle.
- Stop winding the moment you feel resistance. Forcing a fully wound mainspring is the single most common cause of avoidable damage.
- Plan a full service every 5–7 years.
Daily wear
- Avoid operating the crown or pushers while the watch is wet, and always ensure the crown is fully pushed in (or screwed down) before contact with water.
- Remove the piece before swimming in chlorinated or salt water, using a sauna or hot tub, and before contact sport or manual work. Sudden temperature change and impact are the two things a fine movement tolerates least.
- Keep it away from strong magnets — laptop speakers, tablet covers, handbag clasps and induction hobs are the usual culprits. Magnetisation shows up as a watch suddenly running fast, and is easily reversed by a watchmaker.
Cleaning
- Wipe the case and bracelet with a soft, dry microfibre cloth after each wear to lift skin oils and dust before they build up in the joints.
- Keep the leather strap dry. Leather and water are not friends: repeated wetting causes the strap to stiffen, crack and eventually separate at the stitching. A well-worn strap is a consumable — plan on replacing it every 1–2 years of regular wear.
- Gold is a soft metal and will pick up fine hairline marks with wear. This is normal and part of the character of a worn piece; a professional polish can reduce them, but every polish removes a little material, so it is best done sparingly.
- Never use ultrasonic cleaners, solvents, or commercial jewellery dips at home on a watch — they can strip lume, degrade gaskets and damage set stones.
Storage
- Store in a dry place at stable room temperature, away from direct sunlight — prolonged UV fades dials and ages strap leather.
- Keep pieces separated in a lined box or soft pouch so cases and stones cannot rub against one another. Diamond is hard enough to scratch virtually anything it shares a drawer with.
- Retain any documentation supplied with the piece — provenance materially affects resale value.
Water resistance
- Water resistance is a seal condition, not a permanent specification. Gaskets harden and shrink with age, so a rating stamped on the case back decades ago tells you little about the watch today.
- Have the case pressure-tested annually, and always after the case back has been opened for any reason.
- Vintage pieces should be treated as not water resistant regardless of their original rating.
