Patek Philippe | Rare Handcrafts 2022 exhibition
From 6 to 23 April 2022, at its historic headquarters on Rue du Rhône, the manufacture presented nearly 60 Rare Handcrafts creations that pay tribute to a wide range of artisanal skills. Apart from these treasures that reflect wonderfully inspired, magnificent craftsmanship, visitors could also watch masters of their art demonstrating tradition-steeped techniques.
As the guardian of the grand Genevan watchmaking tradition, Patek Philippe is deeply committed to preserving the artisanal skills with which timepieces have been lavishly decorated for nearly five hundred years. Each year, the Manufacture unveils a new collection of one-of-a-kind pieces and limited editions that focus the spotlight on such talents. This also applies to the 2022 collection – a total of 59 creations including 15 dome table clocks, 9 miniature dome table clocks, 10 pocket watches, and 25 wristwatches – with a rich palette of different artisanal techniques such as Grand Feu cloisonné enamel, miniature painting on enamel (a genuine Genevan specialty), manual engraving, manual guilloché work and paillonné enamel – not to mention skills like wood micromarquetry and Longwy enamel on faience that are so unique in watchmaking artistry.
Among the numerous topics of this year, a showcase also exhibited several objects directly related to Geneva, which is home to Patek Philippe. One of them is the dome table clock 20118M “Bol d’Or” in cloisonné and paillonné enamel as a reminder of the seven trophies that the Manufacture’s honorary president Philippe Stern won at this famous regatta on the Lake of Geneva. The case back of the pocket watch 995/130G-001 ”Swan“ showed this typically Genevan bird in wood micromarquetry. Another showcase presented the magic of the tropical jungle. A further one recalls the maiden flights across the English Channel, the Atlantic, and the Pacific.
The “Rare Handcrafts 2022” exhibition is also on show in Paris (until 22 May 2022) in a gallery on Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré 85, entirely remodeled for this event.