Patek Philippe Golden Ellipse 5738 Yellow Gold / Boats in the Port Ref. 5738/50J-016

The Patek Philippe Rare Handcrafts 5738/50J-016 5738/50J-016 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 reproduces a section of Qingming Festival on the Banks of the River, here based on the 1736 version of the long Chinese handscroll derived from the 12th-century work by Zhang Zeduan. 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 the related Chinese-scene references in this series, the case remains restrained, leaving the dial as the principal identifying feature. The dial was first hand-engraved with a pattern of wavelets and then coated with translucent blue enamel to create the illusion of moving water. The composition was subsequently enriched with miniature painting on enamel in eight colours to render the boats, figures, and architectural details drawn from the original scene. Several layers of transparent flux enamel were then 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.