The 3848J-001 is built around a quartz movement, ensuring consistent accuracy within a slim yellow gold case. Its dial typically features a deep blue finish, contrasted by applied gold hour markers that maintain visibility without disrupting the design. The elliptical case dimensions follow the established Golden Ellipse proportions, creating a watch that sits elegantly on the wrist. The sapphire crystal protects the dial while preserving its color depth.

What defines this piece is its continuity with the origins of the Golden Ellipse collection. It retains the essential elements that made the design iconic, offering a timeless aesthetic that remains relevant decades after its introduction. It is ideal for collectors who appreciate heritage without complication.

Patek Philippe Golden Ellipse 3848

Reference: 3848
Collection: Golden Ellipse
Model: Golden Ellipse
Production Era: Introduced in the 1970s and produced through the later 20th century in multiple configurations
Case Material: 18K gold, with documented yellow-gold and white-gold executions
Case Shape: Elliptical
Case Dimensions: approximately 27 × 32 mm
Case Back: Snap-on
Crystal: Sapphire crystal on documented examples.

Dial: The 3848 is documented with several period-correct dial executions. A particularly well-documented configuration is the blue brushed/sunburst-style dial with applied gold baton indexes. Champagne and beige matte dials are also documented on specific 3848-series examples. These should be treated as individual factory configurations rather than assuming every 3848 carries the same dial.

Movement: Patek Philippe Calibre 215
Movement Type: Manually wound mechanical
Movement Diameter: approximately 21.9 mm
Jewels: 18
Balance: Gyromax®
Regulator: Free-sprung regulator
Escapement: Lever
Functions: Hours and minutes
Certification: Geneva Seal on documented period examples.

Strap/Band: Depending on the individual reference configuration, the 3848 was supplied with either a leather strap or an integrated Patek Philippe gold bracelet.
Buckle/Clasp: Patek Philippe signed gold buckle or matching integrated gold bracelet clasp, depending on configuration.

Documented Alternative References & Configurations

The 3848 family has several important variants, and these should be distinguished from the base 3848 rather than presented as simple dial variations:

* 3848 — documented in yellow gold and white gold, with leather-strap and bracelet configurations.
* 3848/1 — integrated 18K gold bracelet configuration. Sotheby’s documents a circa-1976 3848/1 in 18K yellow gold, measuring 32 × 27 mm, with a champagne dial, Calibre 215 and an 18K yellow-gold Patek Philippe bracelet.
* 3848/8 — documented integrated gold-bracelet configuration. Christie’s records a 3848/8 with an 18K gold integral Patek Philippe woven bracelet and blue brushed dial.
* 3848/17 — documented 18K white-gold bracelet configuration. Christie’s records a 3848/17 with a 27 × 32 mm case, Calibre 215, beige matte dial and an 18K white-gold Patek Philippe bracelet.

Dial Variations

Documented 3848-family executions include:

Blue brushed dial — applied baton indexes; documented on both yellow- and white-gold examples.

Champagne dial — specifically documented on the yellow-gold 3848/1.

Beige matte dial — documented on the white-gold 3848/17.

Mother-of-pearl and gem-set dial — a later 3848 example is documented with a yellow-gold case, mother-of-pearl dial and gem-set numerals, using a quartz movement. This is an important example of why the exact individual reference/configuration must be verified before assigning movement specifications universally to every 3848.

Historical Reference Context

Patek Philippe’s official Golden Ellipse historical timeline confirms that the collection evolved through numerous references and movement families following its introduction in 1968. The 3848 belongs to this later historical generation rather than the original 3548 generation.

Reference distinction: Unlike the contemporary 5738R-001, 5738P-001 and 5738/1R-001, the 3848 is a historical Patek Philippe reference and should remain written as 3848 unless the specific watch carries a documented suffix such as /1, /8 or /17. We should not add -001 to it.

Final Catalogue Specification

Patek Philippe Golden Ellipse 3848
Case: 18K gold, elliptical, approximately 27 × 32 mm
Movement: Calibre 215, manual winding, 18 jewels
Display: Hours and minutes
Dial: Documented blue, champagne and beige configurations depending on execution
Case Back: Snap-on
Bracelet: Leather strap or integrated Patek Philippe gold bracelet depending on reference variant
Notable Variants: 3848/1, 3848/8 and 3848/17.