Patek Philippe

I had an honour to be invited together with my wife to this Grand Exhibition by Patek Philippe London Salon. Once again, it became absolutely clear that it is a great pleasure and honour to be a client of London Salon. Thanks to Mr. Ed Butland, Director of the Salon, and Ed's Angels, everything was absolutely First Class corresponding the image of Patek Philippe. Thank you Ed, Isobel and Holly!

I would not call this exhibition just an Exhibition but "A Bottomless Source of Inspiration and Dreams".

So much has been already written about this Exhibition that I'm taking a bit different angle. I have to apologise but I do not have any pictures taken by me. But I have a perfect excuse: I'm an idiot! I took with me my Leica Q, charged the battery but when I started to take photos, I noticed that I forgot the memory card. On the second visit I had a memory card in my pocket, but forgot the camera to the hotel. On the third visit I decided to use my iPhone, but the battery was flat...

I would like first to compare the London and New York Exhibitions.

The overall quality of the exhibitions were the same. However, Saatchi Gallery was remarkably larger than Cipriani. It was easier to move around in London than in NYC and the queue to Cipriani was something like 100 meters long. That did not disturb us because London Salon organised us fast entrance and a top class private guide. Thanks again Ed (if you happen to read this).

In London the Special Edition Watches were quite limited.

In addition to these Specials, some rare Special Versions of watches, made in very limited quantities, were hidden. Luckily I found from the catalogue this even there was no mentioning that Patek made a few with a special (darker) blue dial for the exhibition. One ended to my watch box and it is always a huge pleasure to wear it.

The Special Editions for New York were plentiful and there were some really fantastic watches.

What do you think? I think it's fantastic and I love the combination of World Time and Minute Repeater. The dial is to die for.

The night version is for sure as great.

I pray that this watch will appear to the Collection in platinum and some exciting map or picture made in enamel. I started already to save my pennies for that. I found my Minute Repeater. Now I just need to wait and save.

The other NY Specials were also impressive. Because we Europeans have no access to these watches, Ed called the room of NY Special Collection the "Torture Room". That's what it was!

I loved how the World Time looked. Luckily, NYC is not my city and I can wait with patience the standard platinum version. Ladies' 7200/50 made my wife ill. The watch had everything she's dreaming about but unfortunately it's not for us. When we came home, my wife said "there's a Lange Saxonia also with MoP dial. Because I can't get the beautiful NY 7200/50, could I at least get a Lange? It is not as nice but it would help me to suffer." I promised to consider.

Patek is clearly very proud of their Advanced Research project. The AR watches were presented both in London and in NYC.

In NYC also the newest, 5650G was presented.

I have the last three ones: 5450P, 5550P and 5650G. Indeed, Patek has a reason to be very proud of the Advanced research.

Already in London Patek presented many Rare Handcrafts pieces.

I was offered the Titanic. I did not know if I should laugh or cry! Titanic on the wrist of a shipping man is as tasteful as a plane hitting the Twin towers on 9/11 on the wrist of an airline pilot.

The NY Rare Handcrafts were not any worse.

I will handle soon 5088P. It has also great matching cufflinks.

There was a great watch both in London and NYC.

REF. 130 -WRIST CHRONOGRAPH WITH PULSOMETER. DIAMETER 35.1 MM, THICKNESS 11.5 MM, MADE IN STEEL BETWEEN 1927 - 1937. I indeed hope that this watch was selected to the Exhibitions to show us a little bit of future...

I would guess the next Grand Exhibition will again be in two years. This time it would be the turn of Far East. Singapore or Hong Kong, I will be there.

Like I wrote, I went to the Exhibition three separate times. Even I have handled more than one Patek earlier, this Exhibition proved me once again that Patek is my Brand. The big thing for me was that now I know what kind of Minute Repeater I need to get and also the understanding that my Watch Cabinet is pretty empty without at least one good example of Rare Handcrafts.

Thank you Patek for giving again some 25,000 people the opportunity to see your Watch Art and start Dreaming.

Kari

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