Highlights of the Patek Philippe Watch Art Grand Exhibition

Patek Philippe billed this event as an art exhibition, and holding it in the grand setting of London’s Saatchi Gallery certainly had expectations at a high. The venue however proved to be the perfect stage for a brand that proved themselves true artists. Patek transformed and customised the entire gallery, and very detail was perfectly considered.

The exhibition gave those of us lucky enough to attend (and those dedicated enough to queue around the block!) a truly unique experience of over 400 exceptional timepieces displayed throughout more than twenty-one themed areas, covering historical pieces, hand crafts and rare collections.

One of the most popular areas proved to be the Royal Room, which showcased watches belonging to royal families around the world, including Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II (who graciously gave her permission for her beautiful pearl and diamond piece to be exhibited at the Grand Exhibition).

Not stopping there, Patek Philippe also spoiled us with many pieces from its very own Museum. Located in Geneve, the Patek Philippe Museum boasts thousands of beautiful timepieces most of which have been sourced and painstakingly restored by its past and current Directoire. Designed to be a mirror image of the inside of the actual Museum, the room showcased some of Patek's prized possessions with the lime light taken by an autonomous clock containing a chirping bird - no batteries needed!

My favourite exhibit was the Grandmaster Chime. Created to celebrate their 175^th year, this is the most complicated wrist watch Patek Philippe have ever produced with a mindboggling 20 complications. Presented in its own room, elegantly rotating in a glass case, it was a privileged experience to get so close to such an exquisite and valuable watch, only one of seven and worth £1.7million!

This timepiece for me sums up why Patek Philippe called this a Watch Art Grand Exhibition. This really is a piece of art, it has been born out of complete passion and determination using the most talented horologists, engravers, enamellers, engineers and watch makers. To put it into perspective the effort invested by Patek Philippe in this unique anniversary timepiece is remarkable. More than 100,000 hours were logged for development, production, and assembly, of which 60,000 hours were dedicated to assembling the components of the movement. Each calibre consists of 1,366 parts and each case of 214 separate parts, bringing the total number of components for each Grandmaster Chime to 1,580. Thus, it took 11,060 meticulously hand-finished parts to assemble the seven limited-editions.

Overall I was left with the feeling that this is a watch brand like no other, who truly strive to keep alive the skills of their forefathers. Their timepieces are real work of art and it was totally fitting that they be exhibited in an art gallery. It was a true honour to immerse myself in this fascinating world.