It almost goes without saying, circles rule the wrist. This sensible design is largely due to the cyclical nature of time, but convention and conservatism also play equally important roles. Watches that don't conform to the circular mould are either short-lived, fashion-led objects or, more rarely, transcendent icons; bold shapes that literally stand out from the pack and have proved their place in a collection many times over.

Patek Philippe has its share of unconventionally shaped stars in its stable, including the Art Deco-inspired Gondolo, the blockbusting Nautilus and the somewhat more classical star of today's feature, the Golden Ellipse.

 

 Patek Philippe Golden Ellipse wristwatch blue dial for A Collected Man London

The unmistakable shape of the Golden Ellipse, courtesy of Christie’s.

 

At the heart of charm and enduring appeal of the Golden Ellipse is its universality. The design is timeless, genderless and offers an admirably blank slate for Patek Philippe to showcase their many and varied skills. The Golden Ellipse is also a watch with quite a pedigree, with this year marking the design's 53rd anniversary, making it the second-longest-running line in the collection, bested only by the more conventional Calatrava.

Patek Philippe expert and noted Ellipse enthusiast John Reardon of Collectability, and former Head of Watches at Christie's, describes the reaction to the watch in 1968 and its initial importance to the brand: "I have