Patek Philippe

KunstWerkUhr is an outstanding exhibition which Germany never saw before and won´t see again, sometime soon. Not everybody can be invited to Geneva and therefore they decided to bring the world of Patek Philippe outside. Let´s have a look.

By celebrating the tradition of high-precision watch manufacturing, the Geneva-based family-owned company delivers exclusive insights into its 174-year history as well as its heritage in the domain of haute horlogerie.

The roots, the crafts, the complete current collection and lots of passion are shown. It is a must for everybody who is interested in arts and not only watches – people of each age. Connoisseurs, owners, collectors … male or female … pupils, students or pensioners - all of them are welcome.

All of them will be smitten by the warm and artistic atmosphere which was created by the team from Patek Philippe. It took them quite some to time to organize it the excellent way it is, but with more than 1.000 visitors per day it is no secret anymore that “their baby” is a huge success.

Congrats, to all!

The press conference was at the 16^th of October and the exhibition is open to the public, now – until the 27^th of October. Yannick Michot, Managing Director of Patek Philippe Germany, and Thierry Stern, President of Patek Philippe, gave a short speech before the opening.

“We are coming to Munich because this city prizes the values on which the Patek Philippe success story is based: tradition and innovation, appreciation of sublime artisanship, love of art and culture,” said Thierry Stern, the fourth-generation member of the owning family.

Note : On the picture at the top you can see two PuristS, at least their heads from the back

Lots of guests for the opening. Philippe Stern and his wife.

Next to them is a well-known person which probably needs no introduction. He is known for his passion for watches … and of course his success in football.

Historic building area : Salon Rue du Rhone with the current collection on display and the Salon Napoleón with its famous view (more on this later).

The visitors can examine more than 200 watches from the current collection. There is no place in the world where you can do something like this. Even at PP in Geneva not everything is on display at the same time.

A few examples :

I will come back more in detail in a later post.

Area manufactory : Live demonstrations with watchmakers, Grandes Complications, movements and more.

From my observations I would say, people liked it a lot to come that close and to talk to the watchmakers.

End of part I

 

(Pictures credit: all pictures without PuristSPro logo are from Patrick Möckesch who was officially in charge of PP and the rest was taken by me)

This message has been edited by small-luxury-world on 2013-10-22 11:43:25 This message has been edited by small-luxury-world on 2013-10-28 12:31:43

Bad souvenir for me after a 1982 game!



Thanks a lot Oliver for the first part of the report.

Fx

... who also admits that Patek is the highlight in the watch world.

No wonder he has attended.

 

Moritz

 

 

This message has been edited by COUNT DE MONET on 2013-10-22 12:51:53

We are still in area manufactory, but now we have a first look on some Grandes Complications.

Most impressive pieces on display and only the sky was the limit.

When there are stars and lots of people, the famous Star Caliber 2000 is close. It is the third most complicated timepiece ever been crafted.

 

It was just so difficult to shoot …

… but awesome to look at.

What an incredible piece of art!

 

In the next room there are lots of watch movements to examine, from the front and the back.

It is easy to handle and a great pleasure for everybody who is interested in details of movements – no matter if simple or complicated.

It´s a very nice idea to show them the way it is done, because everybody can get close to something most of us won´t see like this in their daily life.

(back)

(front)

(caliber)

In case you want more details, there is another show case for you.

Something like a "loupe" helps you to look in detail at a movement of your choice.

It´s up to you which one you decide to look at as there are quite a few choices.

Details about your choice are shown on the monitor above.

Connoisseurs or “beginners”, it is interesting for both.

 

Next is a multi-media room.

Just select the Minute Repeater (on the iPad) you want to listen to and enjoy the sound file. OK it is not the real thing, but like this it is accessible for everybody.

Some additional info about PP, for those who are able to read German:

With more iPad´s available you can look at the collection, more details and you can check your knowledge about watches from PP.

Minute Repeater Sound Experience Ball Chair – toys for boys?

No, not at all.

Woman enjoyed it a lot

Salon Rue du Rhone & Napoléon

For some it will look familiar …

… but it is not possible to buy watches in the exhibition. Sorry, not even the Limited Editions or Pieces Unique dedicated to that event

You can chat …

…. you can enjoy a famous view - a full-scale 24-hour filmed Geneva lake view …

… or you can have a short rest.

You are tired, but not of watches or the world of PP in general? No problem, there is a place to sit down and some more input is available for you:

WOW, that is the most beautiful piece of art and caliber ... please execute it into a wearable wrist piece one day in the

but those legs,,,

Are you ready for more? Ready for the museum …? OK.

 

Area Museum and Crafts :

Mr Philippe Stern (in person) has chosen a dedicated selection for you.

Of course it was not possible to show the full museum’s collection with more than 2.000 pieces, but nonetheless the selection is very informative and a feast for the eyes. The selection comprises unique and rare pieces from over 500 years of European watchmaking history.

First impressions :

I won´t and can´t show everything (in the first step), but it is a start and if you are interested in a specific watch – please let me know. There is a picture of almost any watch on display, but it needs more extra time to work on it.

On this pocket watch we will have a closer look – promised.

Live demonstrations – gemsetters, engravers, enamel painting and engine-turning experts present their skills

Most of you will probably remember the introduction (in summer 2013) of a very special piece – even for Patek Philippe.

Sky Moon Tourbillon , Ref 6002 G

The dial and not only the dial is special. Let´s have a look on the former.

The result speaks for itself.

Last but not least there is a room with dedicated examples of rare handcrafts (& more) made for the exhibition and some I will show you now.

Dome-Pendulette´s – Cloisonné-Emaille

Oktoberfest (piece uniqe)

Edelweiss (piece unique)

Bayerische Volkstänze (Bavarian folk dances; piece unique)

Nymphenburg Porzellan (Motives inspired by porcelain paintings from Manufacture Nymphenburg in Munich; piece unique)

Pocket watches

Hirsche (Stags; piece unique)

Wanderfalke (Peregrine; piece unique)

Haute Joaillerie & more

Enziane auf Diamanten (Gentians on diamonds), 5270 G Limited Edition and Enziane auf Saphiren (Gentians on saphires). All of them share (almost) the same blue in the details.

5130 R and G Limited Edition with a special Guilloche in the center of the dial, based on the emblem of Munich/Bavaria and Munich on the dial - instead of Paris.

Hint : Far on the right there is another emblem which I will come back to, soon.

 

Last : At the end of the exhibition there was a cinema, but to be honest I haven´t been there. I have been to the exhibition three times, but preferred to look at the real thing instead of a film

 

There is so much more to see, to tell and to show, but that´s all for now. I hope you liked that small journey so far.

Oliver

Many thanks for this impressive post!

Lovely, lovely piece uniques, like the" Hirsche"  pocket watch.

There has been a lot of effort being put by Patek to stage such a gigantic exhibition.

 

Best

Moritz

by you. I like that!

For your pleasure:



10 different colours, 12 up to 15 times in the ove (between 750°C and 800°C) and more than 100 hours of highly concentrated working - only for the dial.

The case needs 150 hours, just for the engraving.

The work and the finishing is impressive, but I would have prefered simple hands.

Cordially,
Oliver

No message body

not the most beautifull but it must be very cool to have a truly unique watch

 

thanks for the interesting post Oliver, I only wish I could be in Munich for the moment

I really like it, for what it is.

Would you mind the condition, in this case?

Oliver

Ni, I would not mind.
Must be nice to have something really rare.
On the other hand,,, years ago it was sold for 1.7 million if I remeber correct
For that price I could buy several amazing pièces which I like a lot more
So, rarity is not enough.....

Thank you Oliver for such a great post! Reliving Geneva all over again!

I can't imagine what it must be like to organize such an event, with all these timepieces.

Okay, when are they going to do this event in USA?  Seriously, we're missing out over here.  

...for this quite comprehensive report.

I see that you made quite a selection so as to extract only "few" pix out of the more than 400 that you took !

And YES for sure I confirm it is worth coming for paying a long visit. PP did things in the best possible way : decoration is simply great (elegant, nice, classical, understated=in short  very Patek), lighting is perfect (timepieces can be seen ideally without excess light and reflection), flow of people is well organized also (neither crowded nor empty rooms) and most important a stunning exhibition giving the opportunity to admire the full current collection, wonderful pieces from Patek Museum, interesting live demonstrations (watchmakers...).

As you understand, I am delighted about this trip and have only one regret: that we did not have a chance to meet with other PuristS at this occasion.

Best,

Mike

to meet you in Munich. "GTG" - once more, quality is better than quantity

Cordially,
Oliver

Looks like something new ......

but that watch was on his wrist:



To me it´s the 5164A.

Oliver

Each time I see him, he has it on the wrist...

Fx

But I saw him with beautiful pieces like 5970J and 5208P as well

Thanks for taking on a journey to the impressive PP KunstWerkUhr exhibition!

Cheers,
Anthony

Thanks for posting! Very interesting, wish I could have gone.

Thx...Oliver!

Just curious to me.  Would you tell which model that Mr Thierry Stern is wearing?

Thanks.

 

 

Wonderful report! Really enjoyed it. Thank you!

for the excellent report, as always.  Patek is always at its best, and every exhibition it hosts continues to surprises and impresses its audience.

For the great pictures and reports this far! I also enjoyed the Patek exposition immensely.