Exhibition of Rare Handcrafts by Patek Philippe

From June 16th to 26th 2021, in its historic headquarters on Rue du Rhône, the Genevan manufacture exhibited over 75 Rare Handcrafts treasures that reflect superb artisanship.

Visitors were able to discover the complete Rare Handcrafts collection from 2020 (more than 70 timepieces) that were not on display last year and have been carefully curated by Patek Philippe for this new event. They were complemented by the first exhibits of the 2021 collection.

Every year, in its endeavour to nurture the expertise that for several centuries has been used to decorate timepieces, Patek Philippe presents a collection of one-of-a-kind masterpieces and limited editions that were crafted using numerous special techniques. They comprise many pocket watches, wristwatches, dome table clocks and bracket clocks that in Patek Philippe’s salons in Geneva paid tribute to a broad range of artisanal skills. The palette of talents includes manual engraving, precious miniature painting on enamel (a Genevan specialty), flinqué enamel on hand guilloché work, paillonné enamel, enamel with Limoges painting, fauré enamel (relief enamel), Longwy enamel on faience, and gemsetting. The collection also featured the highly exclusive technique of wood micromarquetry as well as mixed-technique pieces that combine marquetry, manual engraving, and flinqué enamel. While exploring the exhibits, visitors were also able to observe the artisans at work as they demonstrated virtuosity in enameling, miniature painting on enamel, engraving, marquetry and guilloché work.

The rhythm, spontaneity and exuberance of jazz pulsates in the decor of the “Jazz” Dome table clock showcasing the refined technique of grand feu cloisonné enamel. To create the stylised silhouettes of the musicians in full swing and the word “Jazz” used as a design element in the background, the artist patiently cut out, shaped by hand and fixed to the base plate about 18.3m of flat 24K yellow gold wire (20.3 g) with a 0.15 x 0.6 mm cross-section. Bringing his composition to life and conveying the heady sound of the music called for a palette of 48 solely transparent enamel colors, combined to produce superb gradients and layered effects. Each enamel element required 9 firings at a temperature of approximately 840°C. The hour circle is designed as a stylised keyboard with black-lacquered hour markers and frames a dial center in cloisonné enamel.

The pocket watch “Panda”, a one-of-a-kind yellow gold model, pays tribute to the giant panda, one of the most illustrious inhabitants of China’s forests. The marquetry depicting this mammal that feeds mainly on bamboo shoots required 194 veneer parts and 190 inlays fashioned from 26 species of wood to capture its vitality and wealth of detail. The dial is hand-guilloched and hand-engraved with bamboo motifs beneath transparent green enamel (flinqué enamel). Yellow gold applied Breguet numerals and leaf-shaped hands indicate the time. Hand-engraved bamboo motifs adorn the bezel and the border of the case back. A green tourmaline cabochon (0.34 ct) is set in the crown. The bamboo-style bow is hand-crafted. This pocket watch comes with a yellow gold handcrafted stand inspired by bamboo, resting on a foot with a green tourmaline cabochon (0.33 ct). It is set on a green marble base.

June 24, 2021