Hi All, This post is the third and final chapter of cbb’s and her late father LPPC’s (Legendary Patek Philippe Collector) horological stories, and to me the MOST special one because it involves the Grand Master Chime 5175R !
If the first two chapters were about a legendary collector's journey and his daughter's own path, this one is about something deeper, Friendship and Legacy, and a moment that left everyone in the room speechless !
A friendship beyond horology
To truly understand what happened in Geneva, you first need to understand the bond between LPPC (Khun Chamnong) and Mr. Philippe Stern.
Recall from the last post that Mr. Stern flew all the way from Geneva to Bangkok to attend LPPC's 80th birthday party, secretly organized by our cheeky cbb ! Think about that for a moment. The head of Patek Philippe, flying halfway around the world for a surprise birthday party. Some friendships go beyond business. Some go beyond a lifetime !
toasting with Singha beer naturally !
Mr. Stern listening to LPPC’s MRs
Geneva museum opening ceremony in 2001
Shanghai Maison opening ceremony in 2012
Shanghai Maison opening ceremony with 3 generations !
Geneva, 2013. A watershed moment.
At the 2013 VIP event, the 6002G was unveiled as a demo piece. LPPC instantly fell in love with the overall package and, being the demanding customer that he was (i.e. someone who KNOWS what he wants !), he would NOT take no for an answer ! He needed it immediately ! Mr. Stern was taken aback by his "eagerness" and had to explain it was only a demo. He promised to deliver one as soon as a working piece was produced.
To me, the 6002G sky moon tourbillon is definitely a GRAIL because it packs such a strong punch with all its complications along with an amazing enamel dial ! Even cbb thought this was the pinnacle moment of her father's collection. How could anything surpass the 6002G ?
Geneva, 2014. THE pinncale moment finally arrived !
Lo and behold ! In 2014, LPPC and cbb flew to Geneva to celebrate Patek's 175th Anniversary. As soon as they landed, Mr. Stern excitedly got them in for a private viewing of the anniversary pieces on the 5th floor of the Salon. Just Mr. Stern, a technician, LPPC and cbb. After chatting between longtime friends, Mr. Stern personally presented each anniversary timepiece while the technician stood by, with technician himself in awe of the whole scene !
When all the anniversary watches had been shown, cbb noticed the technician bringing out a big, shiny brown wooden box and handing it to Mr. Stern. She could see the excitement on Mr. Stern's face. He wanted to get the FIRST reaction from a true collector, a dear friend, on something nobody outside Patek had seen. He slowly and proudly opened the box, showing and explaining each unique feature of the 5175R Grand Master Chime, the most complicated wristwatch Patek Philippe had ever created !
LPPC was speechless on the design, functions and attractiveness of this new GRAIL.
Then Mr. Stern put the 5175R back into the box, closed it, and turned it to face LPPC.
The name "Chamnong Bhirombhakdi" was already inscribed on it.
"Do you like it ? It's YOURS if you want !"
LPPC was so shocked that he could not reply ! Mr. Stern had to repeat... "Of course, only if you want it." cbb had to nudge her father to respond ! He naturally said a resounding YES after the shock and wanted to wear it right away, but unfortunately had to wait until after the public announcement.
Throughout this entire process, not a single word was exchanged about the price of the Grand Master Chime.
Let that sink in. The most complicated wristwatch ever made, numbered No. 1 of 7, allocated to LPPC personally by Mr. Stern without LPPC ever asking for it and LPPC accepting it on the spot without previous knowledge of this piece and its price (CHF 2.5mn). What a gesture of friendship shown by both icons to each other! No price discussion whatsoever and only admiration for each other. Just two men, decades of trust, and a box with a name already on it !
One per continent. And everyone knew about number 1 of 7.
cbb later learned that each continent was allocated just one piece of the Grand Master Chime. Within Patek, most people knew that Mr. Stern was keeping No. 1 for a client and friend based in Asia.
Nobody said the name. Nobody needed to !
It was understood that LPPC was THE iconic client. THE friend.
A legacy tattooed in ink
Just as Khun Chamnong inspired cbb to love and collect watches, cbb has been passing that same passion to her son, Khun Sunnit (Scott, nicknamed Pi as in the Greek symbol π).
Scott understood that the Grand Master Chime held a special meaning to his grandfather and their family. It was not just a watch. It was the physical expression of a friendship, a surprise, a speechless moment on the 5th floor of the Salon.
To commemorate his late grandfather, Scott got a BIG tattoo of the Grand Master Chime on his arm.
When cbb told me this, it was a WOW moment for me ! Three generations connected through horology. From LPPC's passion, to cbb's dedication, to a grandson who carries the Grand Master Chime not on his wrist, but on his skin, permanently !
To cbb, that afternoon on the 5th floor in Geneva was the most special memory for everyone in that room. It was only after seeing how the Grand Master Chime was presented that she truly realized how deep the friendship between her father and Mr. Stern was.
And now, through Scott's tattoo, that memory lives on forever !
What are your thoughts on this incredible story ? Has a watch in your collection ever carried meaning beyond horology, something that connects generations ? And would YOU get a tattoo of your grail watch ?!
Any questions for cbb on this story ? She has been so generous in sharing these personal family moments with our forum !
If you missed the earlier chapters of the LPPC and cbb story:
Part 1: intro of LPPC's journey www.watchprosite.com
Part 2: cbb’s journey www.watchprosite.com
Amazing story!!
Glad you liked the post and thanks for your comments !
That is what collecting at the highest level looks like.
Thank you to cbb for opening the family album and letting us all into these deeply personal moments. Stories like these remind us why we are here. It was never just about the watches.
Bill
Hi Bill, Great that you liked the stories and appreciated cbb sharing her family album & behind the scenes details !
I love this story, Gordon.
I love the passion, the friendship, the nobility of feelings, and… the Grand Master Chime!
Would I get my 5098P tattooed on my arm? No. But it’s my pride and joy: my personal (and affordable) time-only “Grand Master Chime”! 😊
Best, Emmanuel
Hi Emmaneul, having the gondolo
Thank you so much, Gordon!
Have a chat with your significant other about this possibility and get some
Thank you so much. Coming from you, it means a lot to me.
Emmanuel
Awesome story...
cbb had a wonderful relationship with her father and she is honoring his horolgical legacy with WPS !
A profoundly endearing story.
So well said, Felip! What a story of horology and of much more importance, friendship!
Hi RDSChicago, friendships for generations ! What are your thoughts on the
Hi Gordon. All three posts were wonderful! So sad cbb’s brother passed away! How old was he? Beautiful story about lifelong friendships and camaraderie. I’ll have to find a Singh beer and drink to a friendship we all should strive for. Thanks for sharing.
cbb's brother Khun Nick was sadly only in his early 60s :-( Since he is the eldest, he knew more about
Tragic.
Hi Filip, you are most welcome ! Please feel free to
Thank you dearly....
Thank you Filip for sharing your journey during ups and downs !
What a incredible and wonderful story.
And yes i would def have a tattoo 😉