4987aRS

PATEK PHILIPPE JUMBO ELLIPSE REF. 3605J

Patek Philippe 18K yellow gold self-winding ref. 3605J with gold dial, made circa 1978

Specifications Story behind the watch
Trustpilot

Watch specifications

Reference Number
3605J
Production Year
Circa 1978
Original Date of Sale
Circa 1978
Size
33 x 38 mm
Material
18K yellow gold
Dial Color
Gold dial with black enamel set batons and hands
Watch Movement
28-255C
CSKU
4987

Story behind the watch

No watch better captures the unique spirit of Patek Philippe than the Golden Ellipse ref. 3605 which was made from 1971 through the early 1980s. It is one of the largest Ellipse wristwatches ever made by Patek Philippe and also one of the few Ellipse references to display the date. The reference was the first Ellipse to use the caliber 28-255C, the exact same caliber later used in the Nautilus ref. 3700/1. This example features its original gold dial with black enamel set batons and hands.

Collectability Guarantee

Every timepiece is authenticated and backed by our in-house expertise.

Secure transactions

Payments are handled safely with concierge support at every step.

Worldwide delivery

Insured global shipping ensures each watch arrives ready to wear.

How it works

Our team of watch experts is dedicated to ensuring you receive the best possible service buying your luxury timepiece.

1

Find a Patek Philippe you like

Explore the available Patek Philippe watches on the website.

2

Know the watch

Learn about the history, craftsmanship, and value of the watch.

3

Make the purchase

Once you've decided, complete the secure purchase.

4

Receive the watch

You will receive your watch securely packaged in our box, complete with its accompaniments.

Expert Knowledge

Led by Patek Philippe expert John Reardon, we guide collectors in making confident vintage watch decisions.

Award-Winning Service

Winner of WatchPro 2024 Vintage and Pre-Owned Retailer of the Year.

Transparent Process

We make buying and selling vintage watches simple, transparent, and authentic.

Rarity and Provenance

We offer properly vetted, historically significant watches for serious collectors.

Buy a watch

Every timepiece is personally inspected and authenticated by our founder, John Reardon, one of the world’s leading experts on Patek Philippe. The case, dial, movement, and, when applicable, the buckle and bracelet are examined before a watch is offered for sale. Whenever possible, we include the original Certificate of Origin or an Extract from the Archives. If a watch is offered without one, we will always explain why - for example, if Patek Philippe declined to issue an Extract from the Archives because a dial was changed at some point in the watch's history.

We take pride in offering watches in the condition in which we acquired them. We avoid unnecessary interventions such as polishing or dial refinishing. If a movement requires repair, it is serviced by our select group of trusted specialists, including Patek Philippe-trained watchmakers.

Yes. We guarantee the authenticity of every Patek Philippe timepiece we sell. If a watch purchased from us is ever determined to have a previously unknown issue, we will cancel the sale and refund the full purchase price. This authenticity guarantee lasts three years from the date of sale and applies only to the original purchaser. It covers the watch as a whole, not individual components. All trademarks mentioned are the property of their respective owners. Collectability is an independent business and is not an authorized Patek Philippe dealer nor affiliated with Patek Philippe SA.

Every watch purchased from Collectability is guaranteed to be in working order for one year from the date of sale. If it stops functioning properly during that period (and hasn’t been damaged or mishandled), we’ll repair or adjust it free of charge.

Vintage and pre-owned watches should never be considered water resistant, even if they were originally designed as such. We recommend avoiding exposure to water, shocks, or magnetic fields.

For most timepieces, with the exception of consigned pieces, if you decide your timepiece is not right for you, you can return it within three business days for a full refund. We’ll provide a return shipping label and issue your refund upon safe receipt of the watch.

We accept secure payments via bank transfer only.

Yes. All shipments are insured until they reach you via a trusted courier.

Returns are accepted within three business days of delivery for a full refund. We’ll provide a prepaid label and issue the refund upon safe receipt of the watch.

We’ll arrange immediate repair or adjustment under the terms of our one-year working guarantee.

Within the first year, repairs within reason are covered. After this period, we can coordinate servicing with our watchmaking partners at your expense, with an estimate provided before any work begins.

Yes. Many clients choose to have us coordinate ongoing maintenance or service.

Similar watches

Shop All Watches

Latest videos

Browse All Content
WARNING: This Rant May or May not Be Serious. You decide….

Videos

WARNING: This Rant May or May not Be Serious. You decide….
The Rarest Patek Philippe You’ve Never Seen: A Singing Bird Box from 1866

Videos

The Rarest Patek Philippe You’ve Never Seen: A Singing Bird Box from 1866

Learn with us

Browse All Content
A COLLECTOR’S GUIDE TO THE PATEK PHILIPPE CELESTIAL TIMEPIECES

Learn

A COLLECTOR’S GUIDE TO THE PATEK PHILIPPE CELESTIAL TIMEPIECES

Since the dawn of civilization, humanity has gazed upward in wonder, charting the heavens to navigate oceans, mark seasons, and…
5 PATEK PHILIPPE REFERENCES COLLECTORS REGRET NOT BUYING

Learn

5 PATEK PHILIPPE REFERENCES COLLECTORS REGRET NOT BUYING

One of Edith Piaf’s most enduring songs is titled: ‘Non, je ne regrette rein’. I often sing it to myself…
IN-DEPTH: PATEK PHILIPPE RETAILER ANNIVERSARY PIECES

Learn

IN-DEPTH: PATEK PHILIPPE RETAILER ANNIVERSARY PIECES

In the world of haute horlogerie, Patek Philippe has maintained a unique tradition: beyond its own Salons in Geneva, Paris…

Testimonials

Tom P ○

“Just received a watch this morning purchased through Collectability. From start to finish it was a pleasurable experience and went very smoothly. Collectability definitely has the most interesting and quality curated inventory of vintage Patek Philippe I have seen. 10/10 would recommend.”

JH ○

September 2025

“Downsizing my life in many ways big and small. Checked several sources looking for a reputable buyer of Patek Philippe. John’s name came to the top of the list as an expert. I reached out to him and he offered a very fair price (I had gone to other dealers and researched online)He offered several w…”

Doc ○

July 2025

“I’ve had the pleasure of purchasing two vintage Patek Philippe watches from Collectibility, and I couldn’t be more satisfied with the entire experience. From the initial inquiry to post-purchase support, the service provided has been nothing short of exceptional. John Reardon is a true authority wh…”

Marc ○

June 2025

“I bought a watch and John and Tania could not have been better to deal with.”

Gerhard Z ○

June 2025

“John is THE authority on everything Patek Philippe! He is not only trustworthy, but also a genuine pleasure to talk with!”

Peter S ○

May 2025

“I am a New York City physician and distinctly honored to have recently purchased several exquisite, rare, pristine and well-priced Patek Philippe timepieces and accessories from John Reardon, founder of Collectability. John is the real deal you can't find anywhere else when it comes to being knowle…”

David T ○

April 2025

“I just opened the box with the Patek Philippe watch and paperwork from Collectability. Not only is the watch stunning, but the quality of the packaging and the overall presentation was the best I have ever seen. I am extremely impressed. You really made the buying experience absolutely first class.…”

Robert M ○

March 2025

“John was very patient. I thought I knew a lot about Patek Philippe since I worked in an authorized dealership many years ago. I was wrong. As a lifelong Patek fan, I really appreciate the patience and assistance. My watch is amazing. Every aspect of my purchase exceeded expectations. Thank you!”

BLN ○

February 2025

“Collectability’s integrity, knowledge and service elevate an enjoyable hobby to a passionate quest for scholarship and collection. I have dealt with the team at multiple occasions over the years, and what I found truly remarkable is the combination of generosity in sharing knowledge and unmatched e…”

Andres N ○

January 2025

“You [John Reardon] and your team are really amazing and some of us are very fortunate that we not only have been able to get some amazing Patek Philippe pieces through you, but we have learned a lot as part of the process.”

Marc B ○

December 2024

“Over the past 4 years, I have bought and sold over a dozen Patek Philippe timepieces with Collectability. John Reardon and Tania Edwards are not only world-class experts when it comes to Patek Philippe, they are also world-class individuals. They set the bar high for everything from the educational…”