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.

Patek Philippe 5180/1 W

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!

A see-through watch

The new 5180 is a more contemporary automatic white gold skeleton watch.

Skeletonized and engraved

This 39mm watch is delivered on a white gold bracelet.

Rhodiumed calibre

The heat blued hands are echoed by the blue tinted outside part of the back sapphire.

Anything unnecessary?

The calibre is fully rhodiumed, excepted nearly all rotating parts (balance wheel, gear train, …).

A nice see-through back

This watch remains very classical in its decoration techniques, but the implementation is IMO very nicely done to provide a contemporary appeal.

Automatic skeleton

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!

Slim watch

The next piece would be much more difficult to wear.

Table clock

Patek Philippe has also long produced quartz table clocks. These clocks are mainly appealing for their decoration.

Very classical this time

I will not try to convince you that I'm tempted as for once this is not the case!

La Belle Epoque

I still admit that this table clock can find its audience thanks to its very nicely adorned case. A matter of age!

Like a sugar box

Then comes a series of enameled watches.

Sitting tiger

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!

Laying tiger

The Tiger series reference 5076 are based on a 5109 rectangular case.

Jumping tiger

The tiger series are not my favorite. I suppose that in Asia the tiger has a very special significance though!

Roaring tiger

Here is the 5076 series seemingly intended for the European market.

The green Venetian mask

Venezia is one of the most fascinating European cities ! The Carnaval is the highest moment of the year in Venezia.

The pink mask

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.

Admire the cloisonne effect

The art of enamelling is one of the most complicated and delicate technique of decoration in watchmaking and very probably the most artistic one.

Toi et moi

I find this series particularly refreshing and very appealing, somewhat modern too.

Il gondolo

If the Patek Philippe enamelled watches are noticeable for their cloisonne construction, that's not the only technique used.

The bird

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.

The cloisonne bird

All techniques can be mixed in the same watch to produce a true masterpiece.

The tiger plates

So the base plate can be engraved to create cavities, than can later be painted too, and cloisons can be added!

Putting the cloison in place

Some may prefer the softer look of an enamelled paint, but Patek Philippe very nicely uses all the enamel techniques.

Painted enamel

The painted enamels bring us to the last series of enamelled watches for this year, the birds!

The painted birds

The birds have always been a chosen subject of paintings of enamels, quite probably thanks to their grace and their variety of colours.

Patek Philippe 5077

The deep blue back is really fascinating. I'd love to see such skies!

Paradisier rouge

Can you imagine one of these watches on your wrist?

Singing

If you're interested by one of these watches you may contact directly Patek Philippe.

My favorite of the four

I hope you enjoyed these art watches. Thank you for reading.

Dje