Patek Philippe

Hawaiian Dome Clock.  Many of our members enjoy Hawaii, some of us even live in Hawaii or have homes there.  Thus, this may appeal to many of our members.  There are 20 meters of gold wire here, and the shading of the enamel used on the flowers and of the water are done especially well.  Depending on the plate, there are eight to eleven firings to caramelize the enamel and firings were done around 900 degrees centigrade. Limitation: One Unique Piece

Tiki Dome Clock.  A beautiful piece celebrating Tiki symbols.  Combining cloisonné enamel work and miniature painting, this clock shows multiple discliplines in one piece.  For the tiki patterns, nearly 30 meters of gold wire was needed!  The subtle gradiations of brown were also a challenge.  The bright colors also present additional challenges and this piece was fired at a higher than normal temperature (higher temperature increases risk of cracking); thus, eleven firings at 900+ degrees centigrade were necessary.  Limitation: One Unique Piece.

This surfer is done in a miniature enamel painting format.  The case has the officer style case back cover.  Limitation: Six watches.  

A favorite for the 2024 year, even among non-surfers, is this Patek Philippe surfer in wood marquetry.  Limited to ten pieces, this is a surfer in California.  The wood marquetry artist has done an exceptional job hi lighting the sunlight, as you can see the reflection of light on the surfer's face, arms, and legs.  Simply exquisite!  Limitation: ten pieces.  

Trains.  Employing Grand Feu Enamel, cloisonné, and Paillonne Enamel techniques, you will see trains and a New York skyline.  I especially like this clock - I like NYC, I like Trains, and I like this Art Deco era.  In each of these clocks, there are over 16 meters of gold wire to outline the cloisonné cells.  Notice the attention to detail on the clock hands and the dial font - to resemble train instruments.  Fourteen firings, around 750 degrees centigrade.  Limitation: not stated.

Done with such skill, these pieces are actually an example of super high concentration of work in a small amount of space.  The two billiards wristwatches above each contain around 60 centimeters of gold wire in the designs.  Also, notice the 3D effect of the balls - masterfully done.  In the backgrounds of both models you can see the guilloche engravings covered by enamel to give the background texture.  This solar guilloche is especially evident in the rose gold version above the hand of the man taking his shot.  In the white gold version, the wavy guilloche is noticeable near the shoulders of the two men.  Each piece uses so many different opaque and translucent shadings.  Limitation: 10 examples of each design.  

Billiards pocket watch.  Limitation: One unique piece.  

Americana theme continues from clocks to wristwatches, evidently in the men above playing billiards and with these finned American Classic cars with coastal backgrounds.  Limitation: Fifteen watches of each design (four designs).

Wood Marquetry pocket watch of bear eating a salmon.  Exquisitely done, and giving a feel of Wild West...  Limitation: One Unique Piece.

ASTROLOGY THEME

Another is Astrology.  The heavens gave us day and night (the date), the full moon (month), four seasons, and a repeat of the cycle (the year).  It's only fitting for Patek Philippe to celebrate Astrology in a sense - and this year they've celebrated it with watches celebrating the Zodiac.  Limited to two pieces of each design, you can be assured of exclusivity.  Each piece represents skilled artisan work in the field of Grisaille enamel (there are generally considered five or six different main mediums of enamel work), Grand Feu Cloisonné Enamel, and Paillonne Enamel.  Around 6 centimeters of gold wire are imbued onto each dial for the cells of the cloisonné.  And on average two dozen (24) firings per piece.  The Patek 240 caliber (the thin movement with micro rotor) drives special hands, and the case and clasp are sprinkled with 1.1 carats of diamonds.  

I especially like the Cancer and the Pisces designs.  I find these two are done exceptionally well.  

The Mandala theme might or might not belong in the Astrology Theme, but shows the Hindu and Buddhist ideology of cosmic order.  Showing a significant amount of work in enamel, these beautiful geometric patterns have been included in the selection by Moderators Patrick_y and FabR because member Penfriend mentioned his appreciation for this design.  Thirteen centimeters of gold wire and over a dozen firings were required to produce this dial.  

LANDSCAPE ART THEME

Some of you may recognize this is a recreation of a famous Hodler painting.  Swiss Artist Ferdinand Hodler painted "Lake Thun" and you can see the enamel specialist recreate the gold wire in the shape of the water line.  The graduation of colors symbolizing the pink sky, the water, and the graduations on both are exceptionally well done.  This piece also features a World Time complication and a minute repeater complication.  Limitation: Nine watches.  

The Rialto bridge needs no introduction.  For those of us who have had the pleasure of seeing it, walking it, or even floating underneath it, it is a beautiful bridge in every respect.  This enamel painting was inspired by a painting by late Italian Renaissance painter Giovanni Canaletto.  Bridges not only make wonderful painting subjects, but are even more meaningful as human metaphors for joining or bridging people.  An exquisite piece and one of my favorites from this theme.  Limitation: Not stated.  

While not made by a special artist, this piece symbolizes winter on Lake Geneva.  I especially like this piece because of the beautiful guilloche work on the water portion of the back.  This guilloche has been covered with enamel to symbolize movement in the water.  I found this piece to be very beautiful, and thus it's been included.  

EGRET THEME





FabR and I saved the best for last.  This year, Patek Philippe had many watches showing the white egret.  This is the best example.  This white egret pocket watch shows a back made of wood marquetry pieces that portray a white egret.  Notice the fine feathers in the background.  Notice the brown and blue wood background.  Notice the little green piece of wood on the egret's nose.  53 tiny veneer parts, 400+ inlays, and 18 different pieces of wood are used here.  The dial side also shows flinique enamel.  This is truly a beautiful piece and the star of the 2024 Rare Handcrafts season!  Limitation: One unique piece.  

Thank you for viewing.  Looking for more information about a piece listed above or not listed above, please request in the comments, and we will answer if we can.  

Do you have a favorite?  I look forward to reading your comments!