Politician Donald Trump spotted wearing a Patek Philippe

Spotted at what appears to be a tennis or polo event, Donald Trump is seen gesturing animatedly while wearing a watch that rewards closer inspection: a Patek Philippe Golden Ellipse in yellow gold with an integrated mesh bracelet and deep blue dial — almost certainly the reference 3738/100J. It is an interesting choice from a man whose public persona tends toward the maximalist, yet the Golden Ellipse is anything but understated in horological circles.

The Patek Philippe Golden Ellipse traces its origins to 1968, when the Geneva manufacture introduced the reference 3548 as a design statement rooted in classical geometry. The case shape is governed by the golden ratio — the same mathematical proportion found in Renaissance architecture and natural forms — giving it an instantly recognizable oval silhouette. The ref. 3738/100J, produced from the 1990s onward, features an 18k yellow gold case measuring approximately 31.6mm × 38.3mm, paired with an ultra-flat Calibre 240 movement: a manually wound, then later automatic micro-rotor movement renowned for its 3.88mm profile and finishing quality.

The integrated yellow gold mesh bracelet is one of the defining visual signatures of this reference. Unlike the leather-strapped variants, the bracelet version creates a seamless flow from case to wrist, and the blue dial — a deep, lacquered slate tone with applied gold baton indices — gives the piece a formal gravity that appeals strongly to old-guard collectors. In the current market, the Golden Ellipse sits in a peculiar sweet spot: undervalued relative to Patek's sportier references, yet deeply respected by connoisseurs who prize movement quality and design lineage over hype.

Trump has been previously documented wearing Patek Philippe references alongside various luxury timepieces. The Golden Ellipse suggests either curatorial advice or a genuine appreciation for classical European watchmaking — it is not a watch one buys for the logo alone. Among collectors, the bracelet variant commands meaningful premiums over strap versions.

At auction and in the grey market, clean examples of the ref. 3738/100J in yellow gold with original bracelet currently trade between $18,000 and $28,000 depending on condition and documentation. New old stock examples or those with Patek service history push toward the upper end. It remains one of the more accessible entry points into Patek's gold dress watch universe.