IN THE NAME OF HIS FATHER

The 85th birthday of Philippe Stern, president of Patek Philippe from 1993 to 2009 and current honorary president, is commemorated with a special edition timepiece commissioned by his son, Thierry. A fitting tribute given that the reference 1938P was created with a new movement that powers the elder Stern’s favourite complication, a minute repeater, as well as an alarm chiming on the same two gongs. The timepiece also highlights many of Stern’s accomplishments for the maison, engaging 227 components in its engineering with four new patents filed.

This elegant timepiece presents a dignified face with a view of the exclusive R AL 27 PS movement in motion. The wearer can discern its intricately chamfered gilded- edged bridges and hammers plus its 22K yellow gold- edged and rhodium- plated mini rotor, hand- engraved with Philippe Stern’s signature in luxurious black lacquer. Also impressive is the 18K gold dial on which lies a handpainted Grand Feu enameled miniature portrait of Stern against a Grand Feu black enameled background. This intricate detail showcases the maison’s savoir faire to full effect, being one of the crafts that Stern nurtured.

The 1938P is housed in an Officer’s style platinum case, a Philippe Stern hallmark from 1989’ s limited edition Reference 3960 in conjunction with the manufacture’s 150th anniversary. More touching is the hand- engraved inscription, an understated yet heartfelt message from son to father on the timepiece’s hinged dust cover protecting the sapphire crystal back. It reads: A mon père, 85 ans de passion horlogère ( To my father, 85 years of watchmaking passion).