
Wristwatches · Wristwatch
Patek Philippe Golden Ellipse 3546G Silver Dial in 18k White Gold with Extract of Archives, early 1970s
- Maker / attribution
- Patek Philippe (maker)
- Date
- early 1970s
- Historical period
- Quartz Revolution (1969 – 1990)
- Country of origin
- Switzerland
- Object type
- Wristwatch
- Materials / technique
- 18k white gold
- Dimensions
- Case 27 mm
- Stock no.
- W-3578
- Credit line
- Dealer listing, Bulang & Sons (W-3578)
- Catalogue title (original)
- Patek Philippe Golden Ellipse 3546G Silver Dial in 18k White Gold with Extract of Archives (English)
View the source record (dealer listing) ↗ (opens another website in a new tab)Suggest a correction
Record summary
Catalogued by Bulang & Sons (dealer), Copenhagen (stock number W-3578), this is a wristwatch by Patek Philippe, made in Switzerland, dated early 1970s. The Atlas places it in the Quartz Revolution period (1969 – 1990) of its Wristwatches collection. Materials and techniques recorded by the source: 18k white gold. Recorded dimensions: Case 27 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 — Bulang & Sons
When it debuted in the late 1960s, the Patek Philippe Golden Ellipse quietly challenged the conventions of the dress watch. Its shape was revolutionary—but never gimmicky. Guided by the timeless proportions of the golden ratio, it struck a perfect harmony between round and rectangular forms, standing apart from traditional watch design. Rather than following trends, Patek Philippe chose to define its own aesthetic—one that proved both distinctive and enduring. More than half a century later, the Golden Ellipse remains one of the brand’s most iconic collections, surpassed only by the legendary Calatrava. Presented here is a particularly special example: the seldom-seen reference 3546. This variant subtly departs from the classic Golden Ellipse formula by incorporating lugs into the case design—an understated yet intriguing twist on an established icon. The 18k white gold case measures 32 × 27 mm and features a snap-back construction, complemented by a small winding crown signed with the Calatrava cross. The dial is finished in silver with a vertical brushing, fitted with minimalist stick hour markers and elegant black stick hands, reinforcing the watch’s refined character. The watch is paired with a Patek Philippe leather strap and retains its original 18k white gold Patek Philippe pin buckle. Inside beats the hand-wound Caliber 23-300, freshly serviced by our watchmaker to ensure reliable performance. Adding to its appeal, the watch is accompanied by an Extract from the Archives from Patek Philippe, confirming a date of sale in 1974, as well as a small original Patek Philippe presentation box. We’ve always admired how the Golden Ellipse represents Patek Philippe’s more expressive side. It became more than a watch—it evolved into a complete design language, extending into objects such as desk clocks, lighters, and jewelry. Subtle, confident, and full of character. If you’re looking for something slightly off the beaten path, this may be the perfect fit. Feel free to get in touch—we’d be happy to tell you more. Specifications: Patek Philippe Reference 3546G Golden Ellipse 18K white gold case 32 x 27 mm case size (measured without the lugs) Silver no lume vertical brushed finish dial with black hands Caliber 23-300 hand-wound movement Movement no 122xxxx case no case no 273xxxx dating to the early 1970s Bulang and sons leather strap with a 18 k white gold Patek Philippe pin buckle fitted Patek' extract of archives, stating a date of sale in 1974 and Patek Philippe box Fully serviced by our watchmaker
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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