Patek Philippe Displays Rare Handcrafts

Patek Philippe is displaying fifty of its Rare Handcrafts pieces at the Patek Philippe Salon in Geneva from April 19 to April 21. On display are incredibly beautiful one-of-a-kind dome table clocks, pocket watches and wristwatches with dials and cases that spotlight a broad selection of decorative handcrafts. These pieces display work of fine enameling (including cloisonné, paillonné, grisaille and relief), miniature painting, guilloche work, wood marquetry and gem setting.

This week’s display is one of the few opportunities for the public to see these unique handcrafted items. Each year the Geneva watchmaker creates about fifty of the artisanal timepieces, all of which are typically sold almost immediately. While visitors to the Patek Philippe stand at Baselworld see the collection, the individual items are rarely displayed elsewhere, save for the occasional special event (such as last summer’s monumental Grand Exhibition in New York) or during a special display at a retailer partner.

Visitors to the Geneva exhibition will see many of the fifty-four 2018 Rare Handcrafts debuts, plus several newer pieces. For the 2018 Rare Handcrafts lineup, Patek Philippe commissioned several particularly rare enamel arts such as enamel reliefs (also referred to as Fauré enamel) and stunning Longwy enamels on ceramics, each on display at the exhibit.

Visitors to the Geneva exhibit will also see pieces from the firm’s 2018 wristwatch collection. Among these are two standouts: The limited edition Golden Ellipse commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Ellipse, and the new Ref. 5531 World Time Minute Repeater. You may recall that the latter piece focuses the eye to the center of its dial, which is adorned with a cloisonné enamel depiction of the Lavaux wine-growing region overlooking the shores of Lake Geneva.

The exhibition is open to the public from 10 am to 6 pm.

Below are just a few of the highlight pieces that can be seen at the three-day Geneva exhibition.