GLau shares fascinating insights from the Patek Philippe Grand Exhibition in Singapore, focusing on the revered enamel artist Anita Porchet. He reveals her direct involvement in the creation of specific Patek Philippe references, adding significant value and allure to these rare handcraft pieces. This post highlights the meticulous artistry behind Patek Philippe's most exquisite dials and the impact of a master enameler's touch.
Ms Anita Porchet, the best enameler artist in the horological world today, gave me some interesting information.
My original post on the exhibition
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She and her team made 5131G and 5131P ! No wonder I have always rated 5131G's dial as the best four because of excellent color gradations and most number of colors.
Although I have closely examined my quadruplets (
www.watchprosite.com
), I have NEVER realized how small each enamel portion is !! Only when I picked up an example at the Exhibition, I was shocked as to how tiny the "canvas" is for the enameler to make the cloisonné map on ! It is small like a Singapore 10 cents coin (19.4mm diameter) or slightly larger than an American dime (18mm diameter). The amount of details on such a small area is simply amazing !
They are also responsible for the 5531 !! This reference is a grail for me because of her involvement in addition to other technical reasons. If you were sitting on the fence on this piece, would Ms. Porchet's involvement tip you over ??
From my Patek source in Singapore, the huge decoration at front entrance is an art piece that is hand hung and involved 10,500 separate pieces !! Patek really went all out for this Grand Exhibition.
Hope you find the above information interesting.
Cheers,
Gordon
About the Patek Philippe Ref. 5131
The Patek Philippe Complications reference 5131 is a World Time model, distinguished by its cloisonné enamel dial depicting a map of the world. This reference is part of a series that showcases Patek Philippe's expertise in both horological complications and traditional decorative arts, offering a functional travel watch with significant aesthetic appeal. It represents a continuation of the brand's long-standing tradition of producing World Time watches, updated with contemporary design elements and a self-winding movement. The 5131 is recognized for its intricate dial work, which varies depending on the specific metal and region depicted.
The watch features a 39.5mm case, available in various precious metals, housing the self-winding Caliber 240 HU. This movement provides a power reserve of 48 hours and drives the World Time complication, allowing the wearer to simultaneously view the time in 24 different time zones. The case is fitted with a sapphire crystal, ensuring durability and clear visibility of the detailed dial. Water resistance is rated at 30 meters, suitable for everyday wear. The fixed bezel frames the intricate dial, contributing to the watch's refined profile.
As a World Time model with a cloisonné dial, the 5131 appeals to collectors who appreciate both technical sophistication and artisanal craftsmanship. Its limited production and the unique hand-finished nature of each dial contribute to its desirability within the secondary market. The reference fits into Patek Philippe's Complications collection as a high-end travel watch, offering a distinctive alternative to more traditional time-only or chronograph models. Variants typically involve different precious metal cases and corresponding enamel map depictions.
Specifications
- Caliber
- Cal.240 HU
- Case
- yellow gold
- Diameter
- 39.5mm
- Dial
- blue
- Water Resist.
- 30m
- Crystal
- Sapphire
About the Patek Philippe Ref. 5531
The Patek Philippe Reference 5531 is distinguished as a World Time Minute Repeater, a highly complex combination of two of Patek Philippe's signature complications. It was initially introduced as a limited edition, highlighting both the brand's technical prowess in horology and its artistic application of métiers d'art, specifically cloisonné enamel work on the dial, depicting urban landscapes.
The case of the 5531 measures 40.20 mm in diameter and 11.49 mm in thickness, crafted in rose gold. It is powered by the self-winding Caliber R 27 HU, an integrated movement that allows the minute repeater to chime the local time as indicated by the world time function. The watch features a sapphire crystal.
This reference appeals to collectors seeking Patek Philippe's high complications combined with unique artistic dials. The initial release in 2017 featured two distinct cloisonné enamel dial variants, each depicting a Manhattan skyline, one in a daytime scene and the other at night, further enhancing its exclusivity and collector appeal within the grand complication series.
Specifications
- Caliber
- R 27 HU
- Case
- Rose gold
- Diameter
- 40.20 mm
- Dial
- Cloisonné enamel (Manhattan skyline)
- Crystal
- Sapphire
About the Patek Philippe Complications Ref. 5131P
The Patek Philippe Complications reference 5131P is a World Time model, distinguished by its platinum case and a cloisonné enamel dial depicting the Northern Hemisphere. This reference is part of Patek Philippe's ongoing commitment to the World Time complication, a mechanism that simultaneously displays the time in 24 different time zones. The 5131P represents a specific iteration within this series, known for its precious metal construction and artistic dial execution, setting it apart from other World Time references that may feature different case materials or dial motifs.
The watch is housed in a 39.5mm platinum case, featuring a sapphire crystal on both the front and the display back, allowing a view of the self-winding mechanical movement. The caliber powering this reference is the 240 HU, which provides a power reserve of approximately 48 hours. The case is water-resistant to 30 meters, suitable for protection against splashes. The dial's central map is meticulously crafted using the cloisonné enamel technique, a traditional artisanal method.
This reference appeals to collectors who value both horological complications and traditional decorative arts. Its limited production and the intricate craftsmanship of the enamel dial contribute to its desirability. The 5131P stands as a testament to Patek Philippe's expertise in combining complex mechanisms with high-level artistic expression, making it a notable piece within the brand's Complications collection and the broader landscape of high-end watchmaking.
Specifications
- Caliber
- 240 HU
- Case
- Platinum
- Diameter
- 39.5mm
- Dial
- Cloisonné enamel with Northern Hemisphere map
- Water Resist.
- 30m
- Crystal
- Sapphire