quattro
[Moderator]
20349
Patek Philippe Braille watches?
Spotted by Tim Vaux for Hodinkee during the recent Miami Beach Antique Show 2026 is this braille watch signed “Patek Philippe & Co Genève”.
It features a release button located at two o'clock on the case, allowing the crystal to be lifted in order to touch the raised indices and hands and read the time.
credit: Hodinkee
I was very surprised and interested, especially since I've dedicated a whole thread to Tactful & tactile watches.
So I started doing some research and found this other example sold by Arteal, which has a different crown and seconds hand (authentic?).
credit: Arteal
I also discovered this article by John Reardon for the Patek Philippe Magazine describing a platinum braille watch made especially for Ray Charles.
credit: Patek Philippe Magazine
This purpose-built watch was referenced 3482 and measured 37 mm.
credit: Arteal
I also discovered this article by John Reardon for the Patek Philippe Magazine describing a platinum braille watch made especially for Ray Charles.
credit: Patek Philippe Magazine
This purpose-built watch was referenced 3482 and measured 37 mm.
It featured diamond indices and a hinge cover studded with 40 brilliants.
It has disappeared and can only be seen through some drawings from the Patek Philippe archives...
... and some photos of Ray Charles wearing it on his wrist.
credit: @watchpoint.ag, @johnreardon570 & Wikipedia
... and some photos of Ray Charles wearing it on his wrist.
credit: @watchpoint.ag, @johnreardon570 & Wikipedia
I find it quite fascinating to note that Patek Philippe seems to have produced a few braille watches and, if the “ordinary” examples are indeed authentic, not just for a celebrity like Ray Charles.
Thanks for reading.
Best, Emmanuel
💰1729 Marketplace Listings for Patek Philippe›Patek Philippe Calatrava · 2 for sale · 8372 discussions›
Patek Philippe Braille watches?
Spotted by Tim Vaux for Hodinkee during the recent Miami Beach Antique Show 2026 is this braille watch signed “ Patek Philippe & Co Genève ”. It features a release button located at two o'clock on the case, allowing the crystal to be lifted in order to to...
Thanks Emmanuel for highlighting this type of functional watches !
Very interesting read !
My pleasure, Gordon.
Tactful and tactile watches are a very interesting topic indeed. Best, Emmanuel
Thank you! In fact, as far as I know,
braille watches are still in use among the visually impaired because of their simplicity and autonomy (no need to charge them electrically, just wind them manually). Best, Emmanuel
I have never noticed this.
Many of my patients are visually impaired and I have spent time in low vision clinics; the trend seemed to be very large print analog watches or high contrast digital watches. It has shifted to more smart watch type that announces the date. I will inquire...
My apologies; my wrong assumption was due to insufficient online research.
You are clearly much more knowledgeable than I am on this subject (I have no contact with visually impaired or blind people), and I find your account very interesting. Regarding minute repeaters, I think they were used by people who could afford them befo...
I certainly could be mistaken.
I am curious to learn more. Your initial post piqued my curiosity. I will do a bit of research and report anything back here. Interesting topic, to me at least
Very interesting topic to me too.
Exploring tactful and tactile watches was a pleasure and I will be happy to learn anything you might find in the future !
Yes indeed, over the decades PP has produced many interesting timepieces. It's easy to keep things going by re-introducing various complications / styles.
Making a 2026 version for someone famous and giving it to them seems logical, too.
They could definitely do that.
I wasn’t aware, though, that they had done such special “tool” watches. Best, Emmanuel
PP has various such pieces. Hiring various watch makers over the many, many decades has benefits.
it'd be easy to make more of various ones and give them to 'special people'. Could even be a nice video series. Well, PP better hop to it, chop-chop