Dje
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Basel 2008: Art pieces from Patek Philippe
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. 
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!
The new 5180 is
a more contemporary automatic white gold skeleton watch.
This 39mm watch
is delivered on a white gold bracelet.
The heat blued
hands are echoed by the blue tinted outside part of the back sapphire.
The calibre is
fully rhodiumed, excepted nearly all rotating parts (balance wheel, gear train,
…).
This watch
remains very classical in its decoration techniques, but the implementation is
IMO very nicely done to provide a contemporary appeal.
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!
The next piece
would be much more difficult to wear.
Patek Philippe
has also long produced quartz table clocks. These clocks are mainly appealing
for their decoration.
I will not try
to convince you that I'm tempted as for once this is not the case!
I still admit
that this table clock can find its audience thanks to its very nicely adorned
case. A matter of age!
Then comes a
series of enameled watches.
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!
The Tiger
series reference 5076 are based on a 5109 rectangular case.
The tiger
series are not my favorite. I suppose that in Asia
the tiger has a very special significance though!
Here is the
5076 series seemingly intended for the European market.
Venezia is one
of the most fascinating European cities ! The Carnaval is the highest
moment of the year in Venezia.
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.
The art of
enamelling is one of the most complicated and delicate technique of decoration
in watchmaking and very probably the most artistic one.
I find this
series particularly refreshing and very appealing, somewhat modern too.
If the Patek
Philippe enamelled watches are noticeable for their cloisonne construction,
that's not the only technique used.
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.
All techniques
can be mixed in the same watch to produce a true masterpiece.
So the base
plate can be engraved to create cavities, than can later be painted too, and
cloisons can be added!
Some may prefer
the softer look of an enamelled paint, but Patek Philippe very nicely uses all
the enamel techniques.
The painted
enamels bring us to the last series of enamelled watches for this year, the
birds!
The birds have
always been a chosen subject of paintings of enamels, quite probably thanks to
their grace and their variety of colours.
The deep blue
back is really fascinating. I'd love to see such skies!
Can you imagine
one of these watches on your wrist?
If you're
interested by one of these watches you may contact directly Patek Philippe.
I hope you
enjoyed these art watches. Thank you for reading.
Dje
Basel 2008: Art pieces from Patek Philippe
Outstanding post
Very cool. Thanks...BUT
Great pieces and I was always told if you cannot say anything nice then keep quiet, thus I
Thank you Jerome, great report as always. I think it is so important
Marvelous post and especially the info about ...
Patek Skeleton
yours
Wow
Thanks Jerome. Patek's strength...
Wow, Jerome, very nice work!