THE WONDER OF TIME
An exhibition from Patek Philippe puts the engineering of watchmaking on display
After the New York edition in 2017, Patek Philippe pinned the next location for its Watch Art Grand Exhibition, which had previously been staged in Dubai, Munich and London.
The importance of Southeast Asian markets has led the Swiss watch manufacture to hold the fifth and largest Watch Art Grand Exhibition at Sands Theatre, Marina Bay Sands, in Singapore.
Normally featuring concerts and Broadway musicals, the theatre has amazingly been transformed to transport visitors to Geneva, where its legendary watchmaking began in 1839.
Towering in the reception area, the facade with a clock of the historical salon on Rue du Rhône has been recreated, to welcome visitors into the world of Patek Philippe.
“People have asked how we did it. They even googled to see the Sands Theatre before we turned it into the immersive exhibition comprising 10 themed rooms, spanning 1,800m². It’s been created to take visitors on an impressive and inspiring journey,” said Deepa Chatrath, general manager of Geneva Master Time Marketing, a subsidiary of Patek Philippe in the Lion City.
The Watch Art Grand Exhibition Singapore 2019 has been built to pay tribute to the city-state, which celebrates its 200th anniversary this year, and its neighbouring Southeast Asian countries.
The Singapore and Southeast Asia Room features timepieces inspired by the region’s rich history, culture, arts and natural legacy.
They include a Patek Philippe pendant watch (P1457) that once belonged to King Rama V of Siam; a Thai Ornaments dome table clock with a complex motif expressing the finesse of traditional Thai patterns; and a Holiday in Thailand dome table clock with the integration of gold leaf under clear enamel.
Over 400 timepieces are on display at this spectacular exhibition, which also allows visitors to meet artisans and watchmakers, who provide insights on haute horlogerie executed by the last independent, family-owned watch manufacture.
“Patek Philippe has such a long and rich history. The Patek Philippe Museum presents an even longer watchmaking history through some 2,000 pieces,” Chatrath said. “More than 100 pieces from the museum, some extremely rare, along with pieces loaned from collectors, have been curated for this exhibition, whose narration has been modified to speak to people in this region. The Watch Art Grand Exhibition is a mecca for watch enthusiasts, but it also reaches out to the general public through a programming designed to engage a wider audience.’’
After seeing its facade in the reception area, visitors can step into the first Patek Philippe salon and its opulent Napoleon Room, along with a panoramic view of Lake Geneva, that have been replicated to house the current collection and special editions designed for Southeast Asia.
“Welcoming visitors to Patek Philippe in Geneva, we would first take them to the historical salon on Rue du Rhône, then the Patek Philippe Museum on Rue des Vieux-Grenadiers 7, and the manufacture in Plan-les-Ouates,” she said. “The exhibition is designed to follow the same sequence that shows who we are, from the history and craftsmanship to technical capacity and the beauty of our creations.”
Timepieces from one of the world’s foremost horology museum are exhibited in the Museum Room, divided into two sections for antique and Patek Philippe collections.
The splendid antique selection includes a 16th-century Compass Rose pendant watch, Pendulum in Balance experimental watch dating back to 1680, One Day Ship’s Chronometer from 1796 and The Chinese Theater double-faced repeater pocket watch with music and automation from 1812.
Pieces made for the Chinese market, such as The Spiral, Lazy Tongs and The Summer, are also on display.
The Patek Philippe collection includes Antoine Norbert de Patek’s pocket watch, Queen Victoria’s pendant watch, the first Swiss-made wristwatch, and super-complications such as Calibre 89 and Star Calibre 2000.
Patek Philippe’s commitment in continuing Genevan artistic savoir-faire is expressed in the Rare Handcrafts Room, where artisans demonstrate enamelling, engraving, wood marquetry and hand-guilloche techniques.
They render beautiful decorations for limited-edition Rare Handcrafts
timepieces inspired by cultural and artistic traditions of the countries in this region.
Patek Philippe makes highly complicated timepieces in the most artistic way. An extensive range of calibres beat in the interactive Movements Room, while sophisticated timepieces such as the Grandmaster Chime, Sky Moon Tourbillon and Minute Repeater Tourbillon are showcased in the Grand Complications Room.
Those clueless about horological mechanisms can learn from watchmakers about components and microengineering for precision timekeeping.
“The exhibition is absolutely about learning and stirring inspiration, for children and adults alike,” said Chatrath. “Family Days feature various activities for youngsters in the digital age to explore the world of fine Swiss mechanical watchmaking.”
The second Family Day will round up the exhibition, which ends on Sunday.
The Patek Philippe Watch Art Grand Exhibition Singapore 2019 at Sands Theatre, Marina Bay Sands, runs until Sunday. Admission is free. Visit patek.com for more information.
THE EXHIBITION IS ABSOLUTELY ABOUT LEARNING AND STIRRING INSPIRATION