Patek Philippe Golden Ellipse 5738 White Gold / Legendary Castle Ref. 5738/50G-042

The Patek Philippe Rare Handcrafts 5738/50G-042 5738/50G-042 debuted in 2026 as a limited series of fifteen pieces within the Golden Ellipse line, distinguished by a dial in Grand Feu cloisonné enamel enriched with miniature painting on enamel. The subject is Urquhart Castle on Loch Ness, rendered as a landscape composition within the elliptical format of the Golden Ellipse. Its white gold case follows the collection’s established proportions derived from the golden section and measures 34.5 x 39.5 mm, with a thickness of 6.58 mm. The watch is humidity- and dust-protected only and fitted with a solid case back. As with other Rare Handcrafts executions in the Golden Ellipse family, the case remains restrained in form, allowing the decorative dial to define the reference. The dial depicts Urquhart Castle, with the outlines of the structure and surrounding vegetation formed using about 40 cm of gold wire weighing approximately 0.27 grams. To recreate the muted and atmospheric tonal range of the Loch Ness landscape, the enameller used a palette of 41 enamel colours, combining transparent, opalescent, and opaque compositions. Miniature painting on enamel in four additional colours was then used to render the clouds, mist above the lake, and the movement of the water. Each dial underwent 11 firings at a temperature of 820°C. Time is indicated by white gold cheveu-style hands. Inside is calibre 240, Patek Philippe’s ultra-thin self-winding movement. It measures 27.5 mm in diameter and 2.53 mm in thickness, consists of 152 parts, uses 27 jewels, and operates at 21,600 semi-oscillations per hour. The movement is wound by an off-centre 22K gold mini-rotor and provides a minimum power reserve of 48 hours. Its regulating organ comprises a Gyromax balance and Spiromax balance spring, and it bears the Patek Philippe Seal. The watch is fitted with a hand-stitched, grained coffee-coloured calfskin strap, secured by a white gold prong buckle shaped to echo the elliptical case.