Patek Philippe Golden Ellipse 5738 Yellow Gold / Festivities by the River Ref. 5738/50J-015

The Patek Philippe Rare Handcrafts 5738/50J-015 5738/50J-015 debuted in 2026 as a limited series of three pieces within the Golden Ellipse line, distinguished by a dial in miniature painting on enamel and hand-engraving. The scene draws on the Qingming festival and is taken from the 1736 version of the celebrated scroll painting originally executed by Zhang Zeduan in the 12th century during the Song dynasty. Its yellow gold case follows the established Golden Ellipse 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 related Rare Handcrafts Golden Ellipse references, the case remains deliberately restrained, allowing the dial scene to define the reference. The dial was first hand-engraved with a pattern of wavelets and then covered with translucent blue enamel to create the impression of flowing water. The composition was then enriched with miniature painting on enamel in eight colours to render figures and architectural details from the original scene. Several layers of transparent flux enamel were applied to protect the decoration and intensify the colours. Each dial required an average of 15 firings at temperatures ranging from 780°C to 830°C. Time is indicated by yellow 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 shiny bottle green alligator leather strap with square scales, secured by a yellow gold prong buckle shaped to echo the elliptical case.