PATEK PHILIPPE STEEL ELLIPSE SHAPED SELF-WINDING WRISTWATCH

The ref. 3580 was believed to have been made with steel cases from 1972 to 1980 in a few hundred examples – that is until we found this watch. Made in 1971, this example of the ref. 3580 in steel pre-dates all other known examples. Made in 1971, and first sold on September 13, 1971, this is the earliest known example of this iconic reference. Only 16 examples have resurfaced to date and this presently offered example is offered complete with a stainless steel Patek Philippe bracelet.  It features a robust case with a water-resistant screw back (and for those of you that love Patek Philippe trivia) that is the only steel back-wind Patek Philippe reference. Two different style dials were presented: a silvered dial such as this piece, and a blue dial both with white gold applied hour markers. This example is accompanied by an Extract from the Archives issued in October 2022 fully describing the dial.