At its Geneva salons, Patek Philippe is presenting the most comprehensive collection of rare handcrafts masterpieces ever on display there.
From June 16 to 26, 2021, in its historic headquarters on Rue du Rhône, the Genevan manufacture is exhibiting over 75 Rare Handcrafts treasures that reflect superb artisanship. Visitors can 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 are complemented by the first exhibits of the 2021 collection. It is a unique opportunity to see these creations at a single location and to admire the artistry of craftsmen as well as their venerable artisanal skills.
Every year, in its endeavor 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 pay 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 guilloching, paillonné enamel, enamel with Limoges painting, fauré enamel (relief enamel), Longwy enamel on faience, and gemsetting. The collection also features 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 can also observe the artisans at work as they demonstrate their virtuosity in enameling, miniature painting on enamel, engraving, marquetry and guilloching on the spot.
The “Rare Handcrafts 2020-2021” exhibition offers the unique opportunity to see the compete inventory of all pieces before they are delivered to private collections around the world. The exhibition at the Patek Philippe salons in Geneva on Rue du Rhône 41 is open to the public from June 16 to 26, 2021, every day (except Sundays) from 11 am to 6 pm. In view of the current pandemic situation, it is urgently recommended for visitors to register at http://www.patek.com/rhc2021/ in advance.
20105M “Jazz”
Dome table clock in cloisonné enamel
The rhythm, spontaneity and exuberance of jazz pulsates in the decor of this unique piece, showcasing the refined technique of grand feu cloisonné enamel. To create the stylized 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 18.3 m of flat 24K yellow-gold wire (20.3 g) with a cross section of 0.15 x 0.6 mm. 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 stylized keyboard, with black-lacquered hour markers and frames a dial center in cloisonné enamel. Caliber 17’’’ PEND, mechanical movement wound by an electric motor.
995/122J “Panda”
Pocket watch with wood marquetry, manual engraving and manual guilloching beneath transparent enamel (flinqué enamel)
This unique piece in yellow gold 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 yellow-gold 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. Manually wound caliber 17’’’ LEP PS with subsidiary seconds.
