Manufacture
Dje's 2008 Baselworld report offers a fascinating look at Patek Philippe's artistic watches, particularly the Ref. 5180/1G skeletonized timepiece. This article highlights Patek Philippe's enduring commitment to traditional decorative arts, such as enameling and skeletonization, alongside their horological innovations. It provides valuable context for understanding the brand's diverse offerings beyond its well-known complications.
Patek Philippe
is most well known for its horological competencies, as we saw them at work in
the 5450 Advanced Research and the 5207 instantaneous perpetual calendar with
minute repeater and tourbillon.
Still Patek Philippe
is also a long time, very long time producer of some more artistic watches,
among them the most looked after enamelled world time models brought back this
year by the new 5131. But there are other options. 
Patek Philippe 5180/1 W
One of the
artistic specialties of Patek Philippe is the skeleton watches even if in the
last years Patek Philippe has let other watchmakers play alone!
A see-through watch
The new 5180 is
a more contemporary automatic white gold skeleton watch.
Skeletonized and engraved
This 39mm watch
is delivered on a white gold bracelet.
Rhodiumed calibre
The heat blued
hands are echoed by the blue tinted outside part of the back sapphire.
Anything unnecessary?
The calibre is
fully rhodiumed, excepted nearly all rotating parts (balance wheel, gear train,
…).
A nice see-through back
This watch
remains very classical in its decoration techniques, but the implementation is
IMO very nicely done to provide a contemporary appeal.
Automatic skeleton
Obviously this
watch doesn't modernize the skeletonizing as a Reverso Tourbillon
skeleton did, mainly because of the classical engraving, but I'd be
very happy to wear it someday!
Slim watch
The next piece
would be much more difficult to wear.
Table clock
Patek Philippe
has also long produced quartz table clocks. These clocks are mainly appealing
for their decoration.
Very classical this time
I will not try
to convince you that I'm tempted as for once this is not the case!
La Belle Epoque
I still admit
that this table clock can find its audience thanks to its very nicely adorned
case. A matter of age!
Like a sugar box
Then comes a
series of enameled watches.
Sitting tiger
Each year Patek
Philippe offers a little selection of watches with enamelled dials. You
didn't like the fish last year, try the tiger this year!
Laying tiger
The Tiger
series reference 5076 are based on a 5109 rectangular case.
Jumping tiger
The tiger
series are not my favorite. I suppose that in Asia
the tiger has a very special significance though!
Roaring tiger
Here is the
5076 series seemingly intended for the European market.
The green Venetian mask
Venezia is one
of the most fascinating European cities ! The Carnaval is the highest
moment of the year in Venezia.
The pink mask
The masks are
the symbol of the carnaval. This series of masks nicely mixes the carnaval spirit
with some touches of the city in the background.
Admire the cloisonne effect
The art of
enamelling is one of the most complicated and delicate technique of decoration
in watchmaking and very probably the most artistic one.
Toi et moi
I find this
series particularly refreshing and very appealing, somewhat modern too.
Il gondolo
If the Patek
Philippe enamelled watches are noticeable for their cloisonne construction,
that's not the only technique used.
The bird
The gold
« cloison » is fixed on a base plate that can also be
engraved, or more precisely the plate is "champleve", and the enamel is applied on
the engraving.
The cloisonne bird
All techniques
can be mixed in the same watch to produce a true masterpiece.
The tiger plates
So the base
plate can be engraved to create cavities, than can later be painted too, and
cloisons can be added!
Putting the cloison in place
Some may prefer
the softer look of an enamelled paint, but Patek Philippe very nicely uses all
the enamel techniques.
Painted enamel
The painted
enamels bring us to the last series of enamelled watches for this year, the
birds!
The painted birds
The birds have
always been a chosen subject of paintings of enamels, quite probably thanks to
their grace and their variety of colours.
Patek Philippe 5077
The deep blue
back is really fascinating. I'd love to see such skies!
Paradisier rouge
Can you imagine
one of these watches on your wrist?
Singing
If you're
interested by one of these watches you may contact directly Patek Philippe.
My favorite of the four
I hope you
enjoyed these art watches. Thank you for reading.
Dje
The Patek Philippe Complications reference 5130, introduced in 2006, is a World Time watch that succeeded the popular reference 5110. This model maintained the distinctive World Time complication, allowing for simultaneous display of time in 24 different time zones. Its design evolved with a slightly larger case and updated dial aesthetics, distinguishing it from its predecessor while retaining the core functionality that defines Patek Philippe's travel timepieces. It was produced until 2017.
The watch features an 18k rose gold case measuring 39.5mm in diameter and 9.8mm in thickness, housing the self-winding Caliber 240 HU movement. This ultra-thin movement, visible through a sapphire crystal case back, provides a power reserve of 48 hours. The dial is silver or opaline with a guilloché center, protected by a sapphire crystal. Water resistance is rated at 30 meters.
Reference 5130 appeals to collectors seeking a sophisticated travel complication from Patek Philippe. Its larger case size compared to the 5110 offered a more contemporary presence on the wrist, while its classic World Time mechanism remained a hallmark of the brand's technical prowess. The model was available in various precious metals, with the rose gold variant offering a warm aesthetic.
The sugar box is so sweet would like to have it on my table Thank you for this infos Sincerely
Patek should really have taken more care and properly finished the underside of the balance wheel of the ref. 5180--see the first and second real pics (after the first couple press photos)...it really stands in sharp contrast to the otherwise terrific job. Also, the off-center Patek Philippe logo in the enamel bird dials really bothers me. The logo is only slightly off-center, but because it's so close to being centered, the brain can't help but think of mistaken asymmetry. John
will keep quiet Lots of hard intense work but I am not sure if the desired effect has been achieved. Possibly they need to be seen in real life to be better appreciated Thanks Jerome ps Do you have special key for the PP factory?? Julian
to keep art in the watch along with the art of the watchmaking. We really must keep this alive and teach the younger artists so it can continue on and not be lost. There is really something mesmerizing about the technique, color and texture of these pieces. They speak to my imagination as well as the WIS part of my brain. Merci. Tim
really amazing works from Patek. Cheers
enamel is great. It is always nice to read/see the different skills of a brand. My favorite is the " Laying tiger". Will they be available only as a limited set, on order, ...? I assume, there will be a "huge" price tag. Any idea? Thanks Jerome! oliver
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