CELEBRATING HISTORY
Patek Philippe takes us through time
THE PATEK PHILIPPE Watch Art Grand Exhibition may well have been positioned to be a showcase of the watchmaker’s eminent history but through the cleverly thought out configuration, it succeeded in giving not just an insight into the timepiece but into the evolution of time itself. As such, the statement in the press release that the exhibition offers “insights into horological artistry and the finesse mastered by specialist artisans such as enamel painters, whose guild has been associated with watchmaking for centuries,” proved to be more than just a claim.
The fifth to be held, following previous showcases in Dubai (2012), Munich (2013), London (2015) and New York (2017), the most recent outing in Singapore was largest recording 68,000 visitors over the 16 days it was held. More than 400 timepieces were presented in 10 themed rooms spanning across 1,800 sqm. Among the timepieces on display were 120 historic instruments from the Patek Philippe Museum in Geneva as well as the complete collection of Patek Philippe timepieces, highlights of which were two of the most complicated watches
ever created by Patek Philippe ‒ the Calibre 89 and the Star Calibre 2000.
“We are always on the quest for quality because we believe it is an essential and worthy pursuit over generations. The main goal of having this Grand Exhibition is really to educate people and to give a passion to newcomers and collectors,” explained Thierry Stern. For the exhibition, the space at Marina Bay Sands Theatre was reconfigured, removing over 1,000 seats, to create 10 themed rooms. Through these rooms, members of the public were able to gain insight into the art of watchmaking while also learning about of last independent, familyowned Genevan watchmaking manufacture.
“We went through our collection and handpicked the best of the best,” said Dr Peter Friess, curator at the Patek Philippe Museum. “There are pieces that are part of history company, which we bring anywhere we go.”
These include the first ever wristwatch by Patek Philippe, created in 1868, the first perpetual calendar wristwatch as well as the Calibre 89, an achievement not just in the history of Patek Philippe but in the history of watchmaking.
Freiss was speaking to journalists at the centre of the Museum room, which like in the Patek Philippe Museum in Geneva, was subdivided into two departments ‒ the Antique collection and the Patek Philippe collection. The room was described by www. watchesbysjx.com as presenting a “halfmillennium of watchmaking history.” These were seen through some of the earliest watches dating back to the 16th century.
Other rooms include the Rare Handicrafts Room, where artisans demonstrate techniques like enamelling, the Grand Complications Room where the most complicated and innovative Patek Philippe timepieces were concentrated in one place as well as the Movements Room, dedicated to an extensive range of Patek Philippe timepieces, ranging from calibers to elaborate movements developed for complicated watches.
The Napoleon Room also succeeded in transporting visitors to the Patek Philippe salons in Geneva by recreating a motionpicture panoramic view of Lake Geneva. It is also amidst this background where limited editions specially created for Southeast Asia were displayed. In tribute to the host nation,