In April this year, Patek Philippe will display the largest-ever series of “Rare Crafts Timepieces” at the Geneva Salon.
From April 13 to 27, 2024, in the famous historical building on rue du Rhône, the public will have the opportunity to explore Patek Philippe’s new “Rare Crafts Timepieces 2024” series and appreciate 82 pieces up close. A beautiful timepiece that combines superb craftsmanship and unlimited creativity. Master carvers and enamel artisans will also be on hand to perform this rare craftsmanship, adding vitality to the event.
Every year, to perpetuate all the fine arts and crafts associated with decorating timepieces, Patek Philippe presents a series of unique limited-edition pieces highlighting these precious skills. Adhering to the “innovative tradition” of the watchmaking workshop, Patek Philippe is also committed to promoting the continuous progress of these outstanding skills, constantly pushing the limits to create new possibilities while drawing on an increasingly broad source of inspiration – which is presented in the decorative theme of the timepiece The abundant creativity is evident.
This year’s “Rare Craft Timepieces 2024” series (a total of 82 pieces, including 27 dome clocks and small dome clocks, 3 table clocks, nine pocket replica watches, and 43 wristwatches) once again attracts the attention of watch enthusiasts worldwide. The focus is on Patek Philippe’s massive decorative craftsmanship system, which includes many ancient techniques (grand feu filigree enamel, micro-painted enamel, gray tone enamel, flinqué transparent enamel, gold leaf enamel, filled enamel, hand-carved, hand-carved patterns, gemstones marquetry) and relatively new horological techniques such as marquetry and Longuevi enamel. These works are displayed in three elegant areas to showcase their increasingly unique and stunning decorative craftsmanship.
Visitors will see an exceptional collection of twelve Calatrava watches with dials in Limoges white gray-tone enamel, cloisonné enamel, and gold leaf enamel, showing the signs associated with the zodiac. Zodiac theme.
The salon overlooking Lake Geneva displays timepieces that highlight the beauty of nature – plants, animals, gardens of the world, and spa cities – all decorated with beautiful details, such as the Ref .995/143G-001 “Portrait of an Egret” pocket fake watch, The marquetry detailing depicts the egret.
The salon facing rue du Rhône aims to pay tribute to the legends of human history (art, tradition, and sports), especially a series of works related to the sport of surfing, including Ref. 5089G-129 “Morning Beach” Calatrava A watch whose dial features fine wood marquetry depicting a brave surfer.
The exhibition “Rare Craftsmanship Timepieces 2024” will be held from April 13 to 27, 2024, at the Patek Philippe Salon in Geneva, 41 rue Rhône, open every day (except Sunday), from 11 am to 6 pm ( Last entry is at five pm5 pm). Visitors can register online in advance through the patek.com website starting on March 28, 2024.
From June 7 to 16, 2024, the “Rare Craft Timepieces 2024” exhibition will move to the newly renovated Patek Philippe Salon in London’s Bond Street.
5089G-129 “Morning on the Beach”/Calatrava watch with fine wood inlay dial
Waiting for the waves
This watch, limited to 10 pieces, uses fine wood inlay technology and shows a surfer waiting for the waves on a California beach in the center of the dial.
To express this miniature painting with delicate brushstrokes, from the play of light and shadow on the young man to the outline of the ripples on the coastline, the cabinetmaker needed to cut and assemble 100 micro-veneer components and 75 micro-inlays, covering 23 types of wood with different colors, textures, and veins.
The dial is decorated with white gold sword-shaped hands and has a hollow center piping.
The white gold case uses a shoulder-hinged dust cover to protect the sapphire crystal transparent cover, allowing you to appreciate the rhythmic beauty of the 240 ultra-thin self-winding movement.
This sporty style continues on the calfskin strap, with a blue Cordura embossed pattern paired with contrasting cream hand-stitching and a white gold pin buckle.
995/143G-001 “Portrait of an Egret”/pocket watch with fine wood marquetry
This unique timepiece, with an exemplary wood inlay case back, shows an egret and its delicate feathers in the center of the dial, revealing every detail.
The cabinetmakers were required to cut and assemble 53 micro-veneer components and 400 inlays, using 18 types of wood with different colors, textures, and veins.
The gold dial is hand-engraved with a sunburst pattern and coated with blue enamel using the traditional flinqué transparent enamel process. White gold three-dimensional Breguet numerals and leaf-shaped hands indicate the time. The crown is set with an orange opal cabochon (0.29 ct) that complements the golden details of the bird’s beak.
This pocket watch features a handcrafted white gold frame embellished with a reed pattern and an oval base in silver obsidian.
This watch has a 17-ligne LEP PS manual winding movement with a small seconds hand.