Patek Philippe

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In my previous post I mentioned the cloisonné enamel looks like a painting. The reason it looks a painting is that it is actually Limoges painted enamel !



The three panels show scenes from his plays and then history (The Merry Wives of Windsor, a late 16th century portrait of Richard III, and Romeo and Juliet).







The dome shows Prospero’s storm from The Tempest and a portrait of Shakespeare.







All I can say about this piece is WOW, WOW, WOW for the proud owner !

What do you guys think of this dome clock now ?

Cheers,

Gordon

Following are two official announcements.

Announcement 1

Patek Philippe debuts a Shakespeare-themed dome clock for the 400th anniversary of the Bard’s death
A unique Patek Philippe dome clock arrives at Stratford-Upon-Avon jewellers George Pragnell to mark the occasion of the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death.

Patek Philippe has created a one-of-a-kind clock decorated with scenes from Shakespeare’s plays as well as a portrait of the Bard himself to commemorate the 400th anniversary of his death on 23rd April (also, by some reckonings, his 452nd birthday).

It is being sold by George Pragnell in Shakespeare’s hometown of Stratford-Upon-Avon where, fittingly, the showroom is in a cottage built by Abraham Sterling, a carpenter friend of Shakespeare’s.

The dome clock is a Patek signature: the company produces a small number of unique examples annually, and last year the brand showcased two enamelled dome clocks at its Saatchi Gallery exhibition.

The Shakespeare clock, 216mm high and POA, features three scenes to represent his comedies, histories and tragedies, mostly taken from late 19th and early 20th century paintings.
The Merry Wives of Windsor scene shows a rotund Sir Falstaff attempting to woo two wealthy wives; for “history” we have a late 16th century portrait of Richard III; and the third panel shows Romeo and Juliet kissing on their wedding night, by Frank Bernard Dicksee.

Prospero’s storm from The Tempest, Shakespeare’s last play and one which rather defies categorisation, rages across the dome on top of the clock. The Chandos Portrait of Shakespeare also appears on the dome.

Each panel was decorated with Limoges painted enamel, requiring the artist to draw outlines in brown manganese oxide before painting with translucent enamels: the panels require 97 different colours of enamel and 27 separate kiln firings at 850°c.

It’s a difficult and lengthy process, according to Patek Philippe president Thierry Stern: ‘Trying to convey the importance of the 400 year commemoration of Shakespeare’s life using handcrafts was inspiring and challenging. Unique timepieces such as this one are extremely rare and the workmanship which goes into creating them mirrors the importance of this particular jubilee.’

The gold dial has black Breguet numerals and a sunburst pattern in the middle, and is set against an enamelled backdrop of two theatrical masks with Shakespeare’s signature written across the bottom. The calibre inside is the 17’” PEND, a mechanical movement with electric motor.


Announcement 2

On April 23rd, to mark the 400th anniversary of the death of England’s greatest playwright, George Pragnell unveiled a one-of-a-kind Patek Philippe dome clock in their historic Wood Street showrooms. Being closely associated with the heritage of William Shakespeare, George Pragnell jewellers were delighted to present this unique and specially commissioned Patek Philippe dome table clock. Incidentally, the George Pragnell showrooms were originally cottages built by carpenter Abraham Sterling, a drinking buddy of Shakespeare.

As founders of the prestigious Pragnell Shakespeare Birthday Award, whose winner this year is Sir Trevor Nunn, George Pragnell have long been synonymous with Shakespeare’s memory. Previous recipients of the award have included Sir Kenneth Branagh, Sir Patrick Stewart and Dame Judi Dench.
Managing Director Charlie Pragnell, who initiated the dome clock project with Patek Philippe, said, “Shakespeare wrote in Sonnet XII that ‘Nothing ‘gainst time’s scythe can make defence’, but with this remarkable clock, we are making our best stab at doing just that.

Patek make the best timepieces in the world, and this clock brings together two of our proudest passions: Patek Philippe and Shakespeare. My grandfather always understood the importance of Shakespeare’s legacy for the town and our business relationship with Patek Philippe goes back to the day in 1968 when M Philippe Stern, now the honorary president, personally delivered a watch to my father Jeremy in Zurich, who was then completing his apprenticeship at a jeweller and had been saving all his wages for this piece.

We are delighted that, to celebrate this anniversary, Patek Philippe have crafted this unique clock for us. It’s an astonishing piece of work and a fitting tribute to England’s greatest wordsmith. It will stand the test of time.”

The President of Patek Philippe, Thierry Stern, confirmed, “At Patek Philippe we are dedicated to preserving artisanal skills which have been associated with horology for many centuries, including those dating back to the time of William Shakespeare. As the last independent Genevan watch company which has been in my family for four generations we have had the creative freedom to manufacture many exceptional creations, pocket watches, wristwatches and table clocks. Trying to convey the importance of the 400-year commemoration of Shakespeare’s life using handcrafts was inspiring and challenging. Unique timepieces such as this one are extremely rare and the workmanship which goes into creating them mirrors the importance of this particular jubilee. We are proud to be associated with this anniversary alongside our longstanding partner George Pragnell with whom my father started working with over 30 years ago.”

Created using the ancient technique of Limoges painted enamels, the Patek Philippe Shakespeare Commemorative Dome Clock features three main panels, each depicting one of Shakespeare’s most beloved works. Representing the comedies, the Merry Wives of Windsor illustration is drawn from a picture completed in 1902 by Charles Buchel for Herbert Beerbohm Tree’s coronation revival. A portrait of Richard III, representing the historical plays, is featured on the rear panel. The third panel symbolises the tragedies with no other than Romeo and Juliet. This is based on an original painting by Frank Bernard Dicksee, voted the most romantic artwork in Britain.

The work of the Patek craftsmen is so finely detailed that the individual elements are drawn out by a needle, followed by miniature painting on enamel. Incorporating 97 colours, the process is interspersed with 27 firings at a temperature of 850 degrees Celsius. Two theatrical masks adorn the dial, which is enriched with gold and silver spangles and black enamel Breguet numerals. Measuring 216.5mm x 133.1mm, the clock is powered by a calibre 17 PEND with the mechanical movement rewound by an electric motor. George Pragnell invite you to come and view this extremely rare and exquisite dome clock at our historic showrooms in Stratford-upon-Avon, and truly hope you enjoy this unique commemorative treasure.

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