PATEK PHILIPPE SUCCESSFULLY CONCLUDES WATCH ART GRAND EXHIBITION SINGAPORE 2019
Unveils limited edition timepieces for South East Asian market
Patek Philippe just concluded its biggest and highly successful Watch Art Grand Exhibition Singapore 2019 event at the Marina Bay Sands Theater. It is the largest and fifth exhibit of its kind, and the first to be held in Asia. The first exhibit was held in 2012 in Dubai, 2013 in Munich, 2015 in London, and 2017 in New York. Held from September 28th to October 13th, the number of registered online visitors on the opening day was 32,000 and the number of actual visitors was expected to double, according to Patek Philippe president Thierry Stern. He is the fourth generation Stern to lead the Geneva-based luxury watch brand, and the oldest family-owned Swiss watchmaking company. At the end of the exhibition, a record-breaking crowd of 68,000 people visited the exhibition.
Watch enthusiasts and collectors, as well as the general public flock to the event to visit the exhibit that was composed of ten themed rooms with over 1,800 square meters of exhibition space. Visitors got to immerse in the different artisan techniques and disciplines still being used up to today to produce a masterpiece. There are several digitally enhanced interactive showcases to show the brand’s rich watchmaking history, and how watchmakers carefully craft its movements, dials, cases and other components to make some of the most complicated mechanical timepieces in the world. The lobby of the exhibition was adorned with a multitude of cut paper from all over the world, created by Paris-based Studio Marianne Guely.
The event was timed during the Singapore Bicentennial year, underlining the importance of Singapore and Southeast Asia for Patek Philippe. These markets are not only significant when it comes to the numbers of collectors and enthusiasts based in the region, they also play a major role in building appreciation for the work of fine mechanical watchmaking. That is why there are a number of watches in the collection of rare handcrafts timepieces that are inspired by the mix of cultural and artistic expressions of Southeast Asia and Singapore. The first themed room
greeting visitors was the specially curated Singapore 200th Anniversary room that presented selected timepieces and milestones of Patek Philippe’s history, together with key milestones of Singapore’s rich history since Sir Stamford Raffles’ arrival in there.
There were a number of days during the event that was prepared for “Family Days,” in which the public was also able to explore the world of watchmaking by meeting Master watchmakers and artisans from Patek Philippe. They came all the way from Geneva, showcasing watch parts and explaining specific components magnified on screens. Enameller, engravers and marquetry-makers will also be on site explaining details about the decorative techniques. Patek Philippe believes that these timepiece treasures should be passed on to future generations, thus invested in enabling young children to begin immersing themselves in the art of watchmaking.
On this occasion, Patek Philippe also introduced six limited edition timepieces reserved exclusively for the markets in Southeast Asia. These six special models showcase the exquisite artisanship of the manufacture.
Starting off with the Ref. 5303R-010 Minute Repeater Tourbillon, it celebrated the debut of this totally new grand complication as a limited edition of 12 watches. Philip Barat, Head of Watch Development said that this open and dial-less architecture exposes the minute repeater, so the user can see the striking action of the hammers and gongs while the watch is on the wrist. He further added that it is the first time Patek Philippe placed its gongs on the dial surface instead of the placing it on the back of the movement. This way, the sound emitted by the gongs will be stronger and more distinct.
The Patek Philippe World Time Minute Repeater, on the other hand, is the first watch of its kind that always strikes local time. The 5-watch limited edition of the Ref. 5531R-013 features a dial center with a cloisonné enamel map of Singapore. On the city disk, the name of the citystate replaces Beijing, which has the same time zone as Singapore.
Patek Philippe also introduced the Ref. 5930G-011 World Time Chronograph in white gold highlights the colors black and red that in Southeast Asia signify good fortune. On the city disk, Singapore replaces Beijing. This timepiece has its dial center is adorned with a hand-guilloched motif and is limited to 300 pieces only.
There is also a limited edition Ref. 7234A-001 Calatrava Pilot Travel Time comes only in 400 pieces and will be in a steel case, with gray-blue hues that recall Southeast Asian sea views, and a gray-blue strap. Lastly, there were also two Aquanaut limited edition models both for men and ladies. The men’s Ref. 5167A-012 comes in gray dial a 500-watch limited edition in stainless steel, while the ladies’ Ref. 5067A-027 Aquanaut Luce in stainless steel is being presented in a 300-watch limited edition with a raspberry-red strap and dial, underscoring the sporty looks of the surprisingly youthful, modern design. All these special models are fitted with either sapphirecrystal or solid backs that bear the inscription “Patek Philippe Singapore 2019.”