
Wristwatches · Wristwatch
Patek Philippe Ellipse, 18K Gold With ‘Hobnail’ Bezel and Integral ‘Hobnail’ Bracelet, ref. 3931/010, circa 1989
- Maker / attribution
- Patek Philippe (maker)
- Date
- c. 1989
- Historical period
- Quartz Revolution (1969 – 1990)
- Country of origin
- Switzerland
- Object type
- Wristwatch
- Materials / technique
- gold
- Dimensions
- Case 28 mm
- Stock no.
- vws1241
- Credit line
- Dealer listing, Vintage Watch Specialist (vws1241)
- Catalogue title (original)
- Patek Philippe Ellipse - 18K Gold With ‘Hobnail’ Bezel and Integral ‘Hobnail’ Bracelet - Model Reference 3931/010 - c.1989***NOW SOLD*** (English)
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Record summary
Catalogued by Vintage Watch Specialist (dealer), United Kingdom (stock number vws1241), this is a wristwatch by Patek Philippe, made in Switzerland, dated c. 1989. The Atlas places it in the Quartz Revolution period (1969 – 1990) of its Wristwatches collection. Materials and techniques recorded by the source: gold. Recorded dimensions: Case 28 mm. The record is illustrated with 6 photographs.
Assembled from the source record's structured fields. Dates and attributions are given as the source states them; where a field is missing the Atlas leaves it blank rather than estimating.
Catalogue description
Dealer description — Vintage Watch Specialist
***NOW SOLD*** A Vintage Patek Philippe Ellipse Reference 3931/010 in 18K Gold With Clous-de-Paris Design on Bezel and Integral Bracelet, with Original Patek Certificate and Purchase Receipt from 1989. Founded in 1839, Patek Philippe is a luxury Swiss watch and clock manufacturer - one of the oldest in existence, with a rich and distinguished history. The company designs and makes timepieces and movements, including some of the most complicated mechanical watches in the world, and maintains over 400 retail locations globally. In 2001, the brand opened the Patek Philippe Museum in Geneva. What’s on offer This fine vintage Patek Philippe ‘Ellipse’ watch is crafted from 18k Gold on an integral 18K Gold bracelet with folding clasp, embossed with the Geneva seal (denoting a timepiece manufactured in the Canton of Geneva.) For decades, this seal has distinguished the best watchmaking from the home of some of the world’s most skilled and revered watchmakers. The white porcelain dial with sparse, elegant Roman Numerals has a date aperture at 3 o’clock and is surrounded by a stunning gold ‘hobnail’ bezel, its official name is known as a "Clous-de-Paris" design, which continues onto the bracelet, the design being stunning and very eye-catching and unusual. The longer than the average length of this adjustable bracelet means that it’s able to accommodate both women’s and men’s wrist sizes with ease. The watch is powered by a Calibre E23C Quartz movement with 7 jewels and has an elliptical, cushion-shaped case (a square with softly rounded corners, sometimes referred to as a ‘squircle’) a style popular with both sexes. The design of the Ellipse model was influenced by the principle of the ‘golden section’ discovered by ancient Greek mathematicians. This ‘divine’ proportion, expressed as a ratio of 1 / 1.6181, forms the basis of some of history’s greatest works of art and architecture, including the Pyramids of Giza and the works of both Leonardo Da Vinci and Salvador Dali. This historic, carefully crafted, and visually dazzling watch holds a place of significance in the canon of famed Swiss watchmaking and is a stunning piece to add to your vintage watch collection. The watch is in immaculate condition. Additional information Made from Case: 18K Gold Dial: White Ceramic Crystal: Sapphire Crystal Bracelet : Integral long gold "C lous-de-Paris" bracelet Technical specifications Winding: Quartz Movement Type : Quartz Caliber : Patek E23C Quartz movement Jewels: 7j Waterproof : 2.5 ATM when new Power reserve: N/A Purchase details Condition: Mint Model Reference Number: 3931/010 Date of issue : 1989 Guarantee Supplied with a 12-month Vintage Watch Specialist guarantee Dimensions Width: 28mm Lug width : 24mm Lug height (lug to lug) : 34mm Wrist size : Adjustable
Historical context
Quartz Revolution (1969 – 1990)
Seiko's Astron begins mass quartz timekeeping; traditional industries contract sharply.
Quartz and digital watches transformed the market after 1969. Swiss employment collapsed, Japanese and Hong Kong production soared, and the Swatch (1983) helped the Swiss industry recover; mechanical watches survived as luxury goods.
Read the period in the timelineMore wristwatches from this periodEarlier: Modern Mechanical Horology
Atlas type guide
Wristwatches
Bracelet watches were worn by women from the early nineteenth century — Breguet made one for Caroline Murat, Queen of Naples, in 1810–12 — but the wristwatch only became a man's instrument with military use and aviation in the early twentieth century. Between the World Wars it overtook the pocket watch; the 1920s and 1930s brought rectangular Art Deco cases, water-resistant cases and the first automatic winding systems.
After 1945 the wristwatch became a carrier of identity — dress watches, sports and dive watches, chronographs, calendars — produced by Swiss, American, Japanese, German, Soviet and Chinese industries. The quartz revolution after 1969 and the mechanical renaissance since the 1990s, including the rise of independent watchmakers, complete the story.
What to look for
- The reference number (between the lugs or inside the case back) and serial number, the starting point for dating.
- The calibre: its maker and number are often stamped under the dial or on the bridge.
- Originality of dial, hands and crown — refinished ('redial') dials are common.
- Case material marks: 18K/750, 14K/585, stainless steel, gold-filled, plated.
Dating clues
- Wire-lug cases: before c. 1925.
- Water-resistant screw-down cases: from 1926.
- Quartz movements: from 1969; sapphire crystals widespread after c. 1980.
General guidance written by the Atlas editors about this kind of object. It is not a statement about this particular piece; for that, rely on the source record above and on physical examination.
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