20.10.2016 - Patek Philippe

Patek Philippe Announce Grand Exhibition in New York, July 2017

The exciting news out of Patek Philippe this week is the announcement of ‘The Art of Watches Grand Exhibition’ in New York next year, and Luxe Watches have been extremely fortunate to get the inside scoop on the event. The exhibition will be held at the world famous Cipriani on 42nd Street – Wall Street. The 10-day public exhibition, held between 13th – 23rd July, will showcase Patek Philippe’s tradition of high-precision watch manufacturing, an insight into the company’s 178-year history and heritage in the domain of Haute Horologerie. Visitors will have the opportunity to discover the world of the last privately family owned Geneva watch company from the inside.

The venue will accommodate up to ten specific rooms filled to the brim with exquisite timepieces. Visitors will have access to exceptional pocket and wristwatches dating back to 1530 in a space of 13,218 square feet. Watchmaking seminars and artisan demonstrations are just a few interactive activities taking place during the exhibition, as a way of educating enthusiasts in the inner-workings of fine, vintage watchmaking. The exhibition will also include a signature Patek Philippe Café, where visitors can rest and relax after seeing and learning so much.

According to Jasmina Steele, the International Communication & Public Relations Director of Patek Philippe, the aim of the exhibition is to recreate elements of the company that provide an unforgettable experience for each visitor as close as possible to the feeling Patek Philippe guests have when they visit the company’s manufacture in Geneva, The Museum, and the historical Salons on the Rue du Rhone.

“By offering visitors an immersion inside the world of Patek Philippe, we really want to share our passion for watchmaking and hope visitors will come out of the Exhibition with a greater knowledge and appreciation of the art of watches”.

Jasmina Steele – International Communications & Public Relations Director at Patek Philippe

The President of Patek Philippe, Thierry Stern, also offered words on what it means for Patek to hold such an exhibition: “From its earliest days, when our founder Antonie Norbert de Patek made his first journey to America in the 1850’s until today, the importance of America to Patek Philippe can be seen through our history exhibited in the Grand Exhibition in New York. Moreover, it is a tradition in my family that the owners of Patek Philippe train in the new world, following the path of my grandfather Henri who founded in 1946 the Henri Stern Watch Agency in the Rockefeller Centre and my father Philippe, I trained in the US when I started in the company. I am very proud that American visitors will be able to learn more about the historic and contemporary ties between our company and the American market.”

Larry Pettinelli, President of Patek Philippe US added: “ We are tremendously proud to have been allowed this rare opportunity to educate the public not only about Patek Philippe but also the historical significance of timekeeping through the ages.” Pettinelli also commented “New York was a logical choice for the US Grand Exhibition, as this was one of the first landing spots for Patek and Philippe in the 1800’s when they began to explore the new world.”

The Art of Watches Grand Exhibition will be open to the general public and free of charge from Monday – Sunday. Other than watchmaking seminars and demonstrations, there will also be guided tours available daily, in case you may need a little extra insight on this vintage timepieces. There are also plans to include school tours and a family day as part of Patek Philippe’s quest to inform and educate on the brands history and heritage in watchmaking.

Here are just a few concept images to enjoy: