Emmanuel, known as 'quattro' on WatchProSite, offers a captivating exploration into Patek Philippe's artistic interpretations of the horse across various rare handcrafts. His detailed visual compendium showcases how the esteemed manufacture has celebrated this noble animal through intricate hand-engraving, cloisonné enamel, and wood marquetry. This article serves as an invaluable resource for collectors interested in Patek Philippe's unique blend of horology and artisanal mastery, particularly within their Rare Handcrafts collections.
Since some of us are celebrating the Chinese Year of the Horse and since Patek Philippe released last year a Minute Repeater with a magnificent hand-engraved horse, I thought it would be interesting to take a look at how the brand has represented this animal over the years.
Best, Emmanuel
CATHEDRAL GONGS MINUTE REPEATER REF. 5278/500G-001 20-piece limited edition introduced as part of the
2025 Rare Handcrafts collection.
The dial, inspired by the openwork sculptures of Indian origin known as Chunar horses, features an applied hand-engraved white gold horse motif.
credit: @patekworld_ & @ls_timepiece
THE CAROUSEL SERIES
Four cloisonné enamel carousel horses
REF. 5077P-061
REF. 5077P-062
REF. 5077P-063
REF. 5077P-064
credit: k2luxury (Green), essential watches & @watchanish (Red), Christie’s & @chronoclubwatches (Turquoise), hyjewellery.co.uk (Blue)
“FALCON HUNTING” REF. 5077P-091
Miniature enamel dial depicting a pair of Arab horseman hunting with a falcon


credit: @DubaiWatchClub, k2luxury & @patekcollector
“RODEO”, REF. 5089G-070
Wood marquetry dial & hunter case back
“AMERICAN INDIAN ON HORSEBACK 2”, REF. 5077P-058
The first series
has been posted here by
Dje
credit: Phillips
CLOISONNÉ ENAMEL HORSE REF. 5075G
Design inspired by a
Qing Dynastry bowl
credit: @Ambitious_Bet_9932 on reddit & Sjx
“LORD RIVERS AND HIS FRIENDS – J.L. AGASSE”, REF. 866/54
Miniature enamel by Suzanne Rohr reproducing the painting “Lord Rivers and his friends” after Jacques-Laurent Agasse, a celebrated animal and landscape painter of the early 19th century.

credit: @repeticiondeminutos
QUARTER REPEATING POCKET WATCH
Case back hand engraved in a vermicelli pattern with a miniature enamel painting of a horse in the center
'THE SCOUT' POCKET WATCH
This pocket watch, called '
The Scout', after the
original painting by
C.M. Russell, 1907, was made for the 1995 Legendary Watches of Patek Philippe Exhibition at the Sid Richardson Museum in Fort Worth, Texas.
The miniature enamel painting was done by G. Menni
'BRONCO BUSTER' REF. 982/157G-001 Scene
hand-engraved by the master engraver
C. Blandenier, modeled after the American artist
Frederic Remington’s famous sculpture called ‘
Bronco Buster’

credit: Christie’s & Wikipedia
About the Patek Philippe Complications Ref. 175thcollection
The Patek Philippe 175th Anniversary Collection, launched in 2014, comprises a series of highly complex and limited-edition timepieces created to commemorate the manufacture's significant milestone. This collection showcases Patek Philippe's mastery across various horological disciplines, featuring a diverse array of complications and artistic crafts. Each model within the collection represents a distinct facet of the brand's heritage and technical prowess, designed for discerning collectors.
The collection includes models with a variety of precious metal cases, such as rose gold, white gold, and platinum, with dimensions and thicknesses varying significantly depending on the specific reference. Movements are exclusively mechanical, encompassing both manual-winding and automatic calibers, many of which are newly developed or highly modified for these special editions. Sapphire crystals are universally employed, and water resistance ratings vary by model, reflecting their specific design and intended function.
This anniversary collection appeals to collectors seeking exceptional examples of contemporary haute horlogerie and significant pieces within Patek Philippe's modern history. The limited production numbers and the complexity of the movements ensure their continued relevance in the secondary market. The collection includes a wide spectrum of complications, from world timers and chronographs to grand complications, offering a varied selection for different collecting interests.
Specifications
- Caliber
- Multiple calibers depending on specific model within the collection
- Case
- Precious metal
- Diameter
- Varies depending on specific model within the collection
- Dial
- Varies depending on specific model within the collection
- Water Resist.
- Varies depending on specific model within the collection
- Crystal
- Sapphire