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Patek Philippe Rare Handcrafts 2020-2021 Opens in Geneva

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995/122J “Panda”

Beginning immediately, Geneva watchmaker Patek Philippe is exhibiting greater than 75 Rare Handcrafts timepieces on the iconic Rue du Rhône location within the metropolis. In contrast to many watchmaking companies, Patek Philippe believes you’ll want to see this type of factor in individual to know precisely why these crafts are so valuable, so registration at https://www.patek.com/rhc2021/ is important. In case you are primarily based in Europe, it’s properly value testing the exhibition as such experiential affairs organised by the watchmaker are certainly superb (we recall the Grand Exhibition in Singapore fondly, within the earlier than instances). You don’t even have to know what you may be seeing, simply register and safe a spot. So far as we all know, there is no such thing as a digital various. It’s open each day (besides Sunday, sadly) from 11am to 6pm.

Okay, so this 12 months, Patek Philippe is showcasing roughly 70 timekeepers from the Uncommon Handcrafts assortment from 2020, plus the very first public showings of the 2021 items. As you’ll be able to see from the photographs right here, these will not be the novelties, nor are all of them wristwatches. All of the items are distinctive, or restricted editions that showcase the crafts that distinguish positive watchmaking. Now, you would possibly suppose you already know all about this, however we guarantee you that you’re mistaken… until you’re a skilled on this commerce, in fact. 

995/122J “Panda” / Pocket watch with wooden marquetry, guide engraving and guide
guilloching beneath clear enamel (flinqué enamel)
20105M “Jazz” / Dome desk clock in cloisonné enamel

So, until you’re an antiquaries specialist or a watchmaker, even probably the most studied of collectors would possibly fail to recognise some strategies. Take Longwy enamel on faience for instance, which we genuinely thought was a typo or the title of a city someplace. Seems we had been half-right, which we’ll fortunately take. Longwy is a city within the Grand Est area of France, and it has produced this signature faience since 1798; faience is a type of tin-glazed pottery. See, we discovered one thing already, and perhaps you probably did too. 

Different extra well-known strategies embrace manual engraving, valuable miniature portray on enamel (a Genevan specialty), flinqué enamel readily available guilloching, paillonné enamel, enamel with Limoges portray, fauré enamel (reduction enamel), and gemsetting. Additionally showcased within the exhibition items are examples of wooden micromarquetry in addition to mixed-technique items that mix marquetry, guide engraving, and flinqué enamel. Now we have not seen the total set of items, and the above description is courtesy of Patek Philippe.

The Uncommon Handcrafts 2020-2021 exhibition is the one place to each study forgotten and threatened artisanal crafts, whereas additionally seeing all of the treasures created by Patek Philippe in a single place. Sure, you’ll be able to meet the craftspeople and watch them work, which is a uncommon deal with and under no circumstances creepy… Severely, they’re used to having strangers watch them work, as a result of it helps the commerce. All of the timepieces can be heading to non-public collections after the exhibition ends.

All pictures and video courtesy of Patek Philippe

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