The function of status symbol
As one of the most collected and highly-sought watch brands in the world, a brand new Patek Philippe watch starts at $50,000, while vintage ones range from $100,000 to millions of dollars in auctions.
As one of the most collected and highly-sought watch brands in the world, a brand new Patek Philippe watch starts at $50,000, while vintage ones range from $100,000 to millions of dollars in auctions.
PATEK Philippe pocket watch circa 1852 features a unique enamel portrait of George Washington.
EGG is made of gold, diamonds, and enamel, featuring miniature portraits painted on ivory.
ANTQUE gold pocket watch from the Patek Philippe Museum features a blue enamel crest depicting two unicorns.
Success, as any watch lover will tell you, can be worn on one’s wrist. And among the few that speak of such caliber is Patek Philippe, a choice of the most discerning.
Born out of the grit and growth of its founders, Polish watchmaker Antoni Norbert de Patek and French watchmaker Jean Adrien Philippe in 1830s, Patek Philippe is now a $10-to-$12-billion enterprise that has specialized in personalized and or exclusive watches for VIPs — from royalty and the elite, to presidents and billionaires, to stellar athletes and celebrities.
As one of the most collected and highly-sought watch brands in the world, a brand new Patek Philippe watch starts at $50,000, while vintage ones range from $100,000 to millions of dollars in auctions.
Considered as one of the world’s foremost horology museums, the Patek Philippe Museum Geneva tells the 500-year story of Patek Philippe and Swiss watchmaking from the 16th century to modern times. From simple mechanisms, the watches have evolved into symbols of both function and extravagance.
From 1925 to 1989, watchmakers tried to outdo each other by adding “complications” into watches, resulting into watches being elevated into objet d’arts (art objects). Rare timepieces and artisan crafts shown in the museum include sundials; watches based on Leonardo Da Vinci’s designs; and clocks incorporated into jewelry, fans, guns, sewing kits, paintings, telescopes, musical boxes, bird cages, mirrors and perfume bottles.
Some watches are made of solid gold — even their mechanisms. Others are not only made of precious metals; but even their mechanisms are bejeweled with pearls, diamonds, crystals or semi-precious stones.
Some timepieces served as high fashion symbols — such as chatelaines or watches clipped or hooked in belts that became a fad during the 18th century.
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The museum shows that more than just a fashion statement, watches showed a person’s rank, nobility and status. Every coronation, breakthrough and turn of events had been marked with a new watch or a new watch design.
More than just keepers of time, timepieces are vanguards of history, artistry and collective memory. And even today, a watch can become like a personal trophy — embodying perseverance and success, keeping track of a life’s journey.
