Just Exceptional

Patek Philippe refreshes its Rare Handcrafts tradition of creative and technical prowess

- TAN SIOK HOON

Once a year in conjunction with its novelties launch, Patek Philippe generates great excitement among high horology connoisseurs and enthusiasts in the unveiling of its new Rare Handcrafts collection. As per established practice, the Manufacture exhibited its Rare Handcrafts 2023 collection at its Salons in Geneva from April 1 to 15, 2023. Complementing the presentation were demonstrations by the craftsmen to showcase their rare artisanal skills in creating the one-of-a-kind timepieces and limited series.

Those who were privileged to view the 67 Rare Handcrafts creations — 22 dome clocks and miniature dome clocks, 3 table clocks, 12 pocket watches and 30 wristwatches — at the Patek Philippe historic headquarters on Rue du Rhône would have been privy to close to five centuries of fine crafts legacy associated with the lavish decoration of these pieces in combining technical prowess and unlimited creativity.

This year’s tour de force has certainly taken these ancestral techniques: manual engraving, manual guilloching, gem-setting and the various ancestral forms of enamelling, such as Grand Feu cloisonné enamel, miniature painting on enamel, paillonné enamel, flinqué enamel, champlevé enamel and grisaille enamel to new heights of virtuosity. Close at hand were also several innovative skills in watchmaking, the likes of wood micromarquetry and Longwy enamel on faience.

Notably, there was an increase in the number of “mixed technique” pieces which juxtaposed, for example, cloisonné enamel and manual guilloching or manual engraving and wood micromarquetry.