Past, present and future
Cortina Watch celebrates its longest-standing relationship with Patek Philippe by launching a limited-edition wristwatch and a unique Dome Table Clock
Patek Philippe and Cortina Watch have shared a strong bond that has gone from strength to strength for more than 50 years. This year they seal their friendship and retail relationship with a limited-edition Patek Philippe Ref. 5057G-010 which is a new edition of the Ref. 5057R-001 that was created for Cortina Watch in 1997 to celebrate its 25th anniversary — and a unique Dome Table Clock. Theirs was an inter-generational friendship between the Stern family — who own Patek Philippe — and the family of Anthony Lim, who are the custodians of Cortina Watch. Jeremy Lim, CEO of Cortina Watch, says that Patek Philippe and Cortina Watch share an intertwined relationship in Asia — from the establishment of the Patek Philippe boutiques across Southeast and East Asia to the shared passion for fine watchmaking and craftsmanship.
He adds: “Not only have I personally experienced this through the generous friendship of Thierry Stern and Philippe Stern, so have many of our clients who have had the privilege of visiting the manufacturer. We have retained the aesthetic codes of the 25th anniversary Calatrava, launched in 1997, for the 50th-anniversary limited edition. This is in homage to the past and present leaders of both companies who have nurtured our long-standing partnership. I hope that it will continue to strengthen over the next 50 years, and with the next generations after us.”
Thierry Stern, President of Patek Philippe concurs: “The friendship between my grandfather, father and Anthony Lim started over 66 years ago and it still stands strong today, much like the relationship between Patek Philippe and Cortina Watch. This is a unique and precious relationship that truly transcends generations, and I am proud to be part of this very special celebration and to present the Ref. 20145M-001 ‘Singapore Skyline Dome Table Clock to Anthony on behalf of my father. We look forward to another 50 years of a great partnership and for our next generations to keep this friendship going.”
To celebrate the golden jubilee, Cortina Watch and Patek Philippe will co-host an exhibition in April that will present the limited edition Ref. 5057G-010 and Ref. 20145M-001 ‘Singapore Skyline’ dome table clock, together with the Ref. 5057R001 25th-anniversary model.
Ref. 5057G-010 Calatrava: A new limited-edition wristwatch in white gold
The new white gold Ref. 5057G-010 is produced specially for the 50th anniversary features the same triple row guilloche “Clous de Paris” hobnail bezel as the first model created for Cortina Watch in 1997 to celebrate its 25th anniversary. The beauty lies in the form of a charcoal grey sunburst dial with a black-gradient rim, white transfer-printed Roman numerals, and white gold, pear-shaped hands.
Watch gets its heartbeat from the Caliber 240 PS IRM C LU, the display indicates the date, moon phases, and power reserve on two sub dials, with a small seconds indication between the four and five o’clock hour markers. The ultra-thin, self-winding movement has a 48-hour power reserve that can be viewed through the transparent sapphire case back, which bears a commemorative inscription “Cortina Watch 50th Anniversary Since 1972” in white.
Ref. 20145M-001 ‘Singapore Skyline’: A unique dome table clock in cloisonné enamel, enriched with silver spangles and gold and silver powder
Patek Philippe has also created a unique dome clock in Grand Feu cloisonné enamel for the 50th-anniversary celebration of Cortina Watch. The Ref. 20145M-001 ‘Singapore Skyline’ celebrates Singapore’s icons, from the Merlion mascot to the CBD, Gardens by the Bay, the Esplanade, and Marina Bay Sands, where the second Patek Philippe boutique was opened in Singapore by Cortina Watch.
To create the contours of the city skyline and its most emblematic monuments, the enameller used 9.2 m of 24K gold wire (18.45 g) measuring 0.2 x 0.6 mm in cross-section, cut into tiny segments, and shaped by hand.
For the scene’s magical tints, with their subtle gradations and layered effects, a palette of 50 enamel colours was used: 47 transparent, one opaque and two opalescent. Each enamelled plate requires 10 to 14 firings at temperatures between 890º and 910º C. A shower of 50 gold stars and fireworks, made using gold and silver dust, cascade the sky to celebrate the jubilee.
A guilloche hour circle with edges echoing the flowers in the garden city, set with 12 baguette markers made of lapis lazuli (2.27ct), frames a dial centre in cloisonné enamel. An engraved inscription ‘Cortina Watch — 50th Anniversary — Since 1972’ is discreetly indicated on the clock. The dome table clock is powered by the Caliber 17’’’ PEND mechanical movement rewound by an electric motor.*