Patek Philippe Watch Art Grand Exhibition
A Record Turnout Of 68,000 Visitors Over 16 Days
Following the Watch Art Grand Exhibitions in Dubai in 2012, Munich in 2013, London in 2015 and New York in 2017, the fifth and largest Patek Philippe Watch Art Grand Exhibition in Singapore recently concluded with a record turnout of 68,000 visitors over the 16-day exhibition. Over two years in the making, the Grand Exhibition provided rare and unique insights into the art of watchmaking, and immersion into the world of the last independent, family-owned Genevan watchmaking manufacture.
Held in Marina Bay Sands Theatre, over 400 exceptional timepieces were presented in 10 themed rooms spanning across 1,800 sqm. Special highlights included 120 historic timekeeping instruments from the Patek Philippe Museum in Geneva and the complete collection of Patek Philippe timepieces including some of the most complicated watches ever created by Patek Philippe – the Calibre 89 and the Star Calibre 2000.
The Grand Exhibition attracted visitors from around the Southeast Asia region and from over 25 countries. Opened to the public from 28 September to 13 October, it was the longest one Patek Philippe has presented. With a broad array of dome table clocks, table clocks, pocket watches and wristwatches that are lavishly decorated by artisans with the mastery of the most elaborate rare handcraft techniques, engraving, enamelling, wood marquetry and hand guilloché, the Grand Exhibition once again reinforces Patek Philippe’s keen interest in preserving the art of watchmaking.
On occasion of the nation’s 200th anniversary, Patek Philippe saluted the city-state and its neighbouring countries with a specially appointed thematic room and decor, as well as a selection of extraordinary exhibits that reflected the history, culture and heritage of Southeast Asia. To mark the Watch Art Grand Exhibition in Singapore, six special editions and an important collection of
rare handcrafts timepieces inspired by the mix of cultural and artistic expressions of Southeast Asia and Singapore were presented. The Singapore 2019 special edition Ref. 5303R-010 Minute Repeater Tourbillon was revealed for the first time during the International Press Day, presenting a new grand complication with an open architecture that allows the hammers and gongs of the strikework to be observed at work from the dial, making another watchmaking breakthrough with this new creation.
The Watch Art Grand Exhibition Singapore 2019 was a free public exhibition that exquisitely showcased the Genevabased environment of Patek Philippe’s historic salons, workshops, and the world renowned museum. It drew inspiration from the deep love for artisanship and mechanical watchmaking in the region, and through the Museum pieces, Patek Philippe celebrated the 500-year history of portable timepieces that encapsulate the knowledge and skills of the brightest minds that came together to create objects of timeless beauty and precision.