Reference 874 is known as the Ellipse Pendant. This is of course due to the case design, obviously part of the ellipse family. In production from 1976 to 1991 circa, it is known in yellow or white gold. Engraved examples such as the present one are designated by the -1, -2 or -3 variation of the reference number. At least two different patterns are known: the present “Calatrava” pattern, and a different “Guirlande” pattern. Such engraved examples are extremely rare; for example, so far the market has known only a handful of specimens of the present variation 874-2, not including this example previously unknown to the market. The current blue dial is a later addition by an extremely style-conscious collector: its deep blue tone is the perfect complement to the luxurious gold shine of the case. It is interesting to note that this dial was made by Singer – the SJ monogram present on the back - rather than by the usual Patek Philippe dial supplier Stern. It is known that sometimes Stern would outsource production of particular dials to Singer possibly because of superior results on specific types of finish. It is worth noting that Singer would supply only the base plate). The markers would be applied by Stern at a later stage.