Brief Review: Watch Art Patek Philippe Grand Exhibition London 2015

Hi, everyone. Watch Art Patek Philippe Grand Exhibition London 2015 is over and here are few timepieces overview that we got from Patek London.

Patek Philippe brought more than 100 historical watches, which are part of the Patek Philippe Museum collection, to the Watch Art Patek Philippe Grand Exhibition London which took place from May 27th to June 7th this year at the Saatchi Gallery in London. Visitors were able to see for the first time in London iconic historical timepieces such as:

. The Antoine Norbert de Patek’s watch

.The Patek Philippe Duke de Regla, a minute repeating pocket watch with Petite Sonnerie and Westminster Chime on five bells

. The first Swiss wristwatch made by Patek Philippe in 1868, sold to a Countess of Hungary

. The ca.1830 tableclock in the shape of a cage with five singing-birds and music

These special watches were presented in the Grand Exhibition in the Patek Philippe Museum Room which is a recreation of the company’s Museum in Geneva. Very much like the gallery in Geneva, this room was divided into two sections. In the first section there were some of the greatest timepieces spanning the last five centuries, including 16 th century earliest portable watches ever made. In the second section of this ‘Temple to Watchmaking’, historical Patek Philippe timepieces dating back to the beginning of the company were on display.  

In the first week, over 25,000 people visit the Watch Art Patek Philippe Grand Exhibition. The Watch Art Patek Philippe Grand Exhibition London has been extremely well received so far. The event which has been open to the public since Wednesday 27th May, has attracted well over 25,000 people in only 7 days. The general public is fascinated by the world of Patek Philippe and is delighted to completely immerse themselves in the world of the last independent Swiss watch manufacture and to have the opportunity to learn about the craftsmanship and artisanship which goes into producing the timepieces which have been created by the company over so many years.

Visitors had access to over 400 exceptional timepieces distributed throughout more than twenty-one themed areas. Amongst all the areas, the Royal Room was a very popular one. People could see more than 15 Royal timepieces from the Patek Philippe Museum collection and also the Ref. 4975/1G which belongs to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II (who has graciously given her permission for it to be exhibited at the Grand Exhibition). The interactive room is also another popular space which has attracted many young people, they are spending a considerable amount of time in this space interacting with the watchmakers whilst they demonstrate their unique skills. Another must see is the Rare Handcrafts Artisan room where visitors could see professional gem setters, engravers, enamellers and engine turning experts at work.

According to Mark Hearn, the Managing Director for Patek Philippe UK, the exhibition is providing the public with general knowledge about watchmaking and also more remarkable information about Patek Philippe: ‘We are delighted with the numbers of visitors who have come to see this wonderful exhibition, and also the age range of the visitors, young people as well as older have been completely enthralled by the magic of this event.’

Here are few of the watches that was presented in London

Antoine Norbert de Patek’s Pocket Watch - Patek, Czapek & Cie, Genève, No. 87 Hunter case, key winding and setting silver case, rose gold hinges; satin-finished silver dial, painted Roman numerals, centre engraved with scrolling foliage; rose gold Breguet hands 1839–1842 Inv. P-01. 66.5 mm / ∅ 47.2 mm / thickness 9.2 mm

The Duke de Regla - Minute Repeating Pocket Watch with Petite Sonnerie and Westminster Chime on Five Bells - Patek, Philippe & Cie, Genève. Hunter case, stem winding and setting, with the following complications: 

– Westminster chime minute repeating on five bells (activated by a slide on the band to the right of the pendant, between 6 and 7 o’clock)
– Petite sonnerie (“strike/silence” lever between 11 and 12 o’clock)
– Twin barrel with differential winding
Yellow gold case, No. 257 696

The first Swiss wristwatch - Patek Philippe & Cie, Geneva. No. 27368 Key-winding lady’s wristwatch Manufactured in 1868. Yellow gold, enamel, diamonds. Inv. P-49. The first Swiss wristwatch made by Patek Philippe in 1868, sold to a Countess of Hungary

The Cage - Clock in the shape of a cage with five singing-birds and music, made for the Turkish market. Clockwatch entre-seconds movement, stamped with three tulips, attributed under reserve to FRÈRES ROCHAT (associated from around 1800 to around 1835), or more probably to Charles-Abraham (I) BRUGUIER (1788-1862); dial signed "MOULINIE AINE ET CE / A GENEVE" (retailer signature). MOULINIE Ainé & Cie (active after 1826). Gold, gilded silver, enamel, feathers. Geneva, around 1830. 

Queen Victoria Pocket Watch, 1851. The open faced, keyless-winding and setting, pendant watch, accompanied with its matching brooch.

Queen Victoria Pocket Watch. The open-face, key winding and hand-setting pendant watch which belonged to Queen Victoria (Queen of Great Britain and Ireland 1837-1901). Made in yellow gold with enamelling and rose-cut diamonds in the case, this watch will be presented alongside two other watches.

Patek Philippe Ref. 4975/1G which belongs to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, who has graciously given her permission for it to be exhibited at the Grand Exhibition. 

Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime Ref. 5175

P.S. If you have been to Watch Art Patek Philippe Grand Exhibition London 2015 and you've got interesting photos or videos do not hesitate to share it with us.