Patek Philippe

Hi there - I am new here I am looking at getting my first PP, and I want to start with a 1960s or 70s ellipse of some kind. I am really struggling to work out the PP reference number system! I wonder if there is a list of ref no's and model types somewher... 

Hope you'll be able to find some elements on our Patek Philippe forum. I don't know if there is such website, listing all Patek's references available on the net. Most of the work which has been trying to make an overall view of Patek's collection is main... 

but in order to understand it, you must first master the Chaos Theory. Alternatively, start getting some books and from those you can find all the references you might need. In the beginning of my voyage to the Patek Land, I did not understand the referen... 

the WWII Enigma encoding machine.

Well, what mystery! I am surprised there is no online list of reference numbers and pictures of the relevant model. P erhaps a dedicated wiki-style site could be created that people can update freely! Is there a reason this hasn't been done? Unfortunately... 

Ben, an excellent book is "Patek Philippe in America - Reference Guide - Volume 1 Men's Watches" by John Reardon (formerly at Patek and now Int'l Head of Christie's Watch Dep't). It pretty much covers all references (not just the less complicated). I high... 

.....we are in a similar position. I also am thinking hard about buying a vintage Elipse this year...and you are correct....there are plenty of variations. By the way, welcome to the forum and good luck with your hunting. Best Joe