Patek Philippe pedigree for under $700? Meet this new watch designed by a legend

The Watch That Caught a Watchman’s Eye

The romance began at Geneva auctions last fall, when Reardon - ever the watch snob - spotted what he thought were vintage Golden Ellipses on the wrists of two gents. Turns out, they were Dennison ALD models, and the wearers were none other than Dennison’s current stewards: Stéphane Cheikh and his son. Reardon did a double take, introduced himself, and by the end of the conversation, a beautiful horological bromance was born.

And thank God it was, because the result is a bi-colour sunray dial watch with zero branding on the face. Yes, you read that right. No logos. No desperate cries for attention. Just a design so clean it practically exfoliates your wrist.

No Name, All Game

Why ditch the logo? Reardon put it best: “The watch is the signature.” It’s a bold move in a world where everyone wants to scream their branding into your eyeballs. But this watch, like a true gentleman, lets its presence do the talking. And if the dial looks familiar, it’s because it’s inspired by the elusive Patek ref. 3862 Golden Ellipse - a piece so rare, even Reardon can’t source one for his top-tier clients.

Now, here’s the kicker: while the design whispers vintage Patek, the price tag screams affordable luxury. Powered by a Swiss-made Ronda 1062 quartz movement (cue the mechanical purists fainting), this watch skips the ego trip and delivers the goods - reliability, slimness, and a surprisingly intimate wrist feel.

Quartz? Yes, and Proud of It

In an industry that sometimes treats quartz like it’s the horological equivalent of instant noodles, Reardon offers a refreshing counterpoint: “I’m not afraid of quartz watches. I celebrate quartz technology.” Honestly, we couldn’t agree more. Not every timepiece needs to house a tourbillon or sing lullabies in minute repeater chimes. Sometimes, you just want to wear something that doesn’t require winding and costs less than your car service.

Designer Pedigree, Microbrand Price

Oh, and did we mention the design is by Emmanuel Gueit? Yes, the man who brought us the Royal Oak Offshore. The proportions are sublime, the 1970s-80s vibe is immaculate, and the two-tone graphite-blue inner dial and navy outer dial combo will make even the most jaded collector raise an eyebrow of respect.

Paired with a tailored 20mm leather strap and a 16mm pin buckle (because the devil is in the details), this is a modern dress watch that doesn’t try to be vintage—it just is.

The Verdict

Let’s be clear: this isn’t trying to replace your heirloom Calatrava or dethrone your Lange. But it does something far more audacious—it gives the everyday man (or the collector who’s tired of babysitting precious metal) a chance to wear something honest, beautiful, and backed by heavyweight credibility.

And for those who treat Patek watches like sacred scrolls to be locked away, here’s a piece you can actually wear to dinner, spill some wine on, and live to tell the tale.

Limited pre-orders are up until May 11, and with production capped and hype growing, we wouldn’t be surprised if these vanish faster than a first-date smile when you say "I collect watches."

So go ahead. Be the guy who knows his horology but doesn’t need to flex it. Because sometimes, being a gentleman means knowing when not to show off.

For the watch details, click here