The Patek Philippe grand exhibition “Watch Art” Tokyo 2023 received a warm welcome from the Japanese public. From June 10 to June 25, 2023, this exceptional event drew approximately 60,000 visitors into the captivating world of the last independent family-owned Genevan watch manufacturer. The exhibition, spanning over 2,500 square meters, transported guests to the heart of Geneva and provided an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at Patek Philippe. It marked the largest exhibition ever organized by the manufacture and coincided with the launch of six limited-edition timepieces, including two technical novelties making their global debut, alongside a rich collection showcasing rare handcrafts. Patek Philippe is delighted to announce that its next grand exhibition will take place in Milan in 2025.
Following previous exhibitions in Dubai (2012), Munich (2013), London (2015), New York (2017), and Singapore (2019), Patek Philippe selected Tokyo for its sixth grand exhibition worldwide. Historically, Japan holds a special place as a key market for the brand, inhabited by discerning enthusiasts who cherish the artistry of rare handcrafts and can truly appreciate the technical brilliance and meticulous craftsmanship embodied in a timepiece. Japanese customers, deeply rooted in a culture that blends reverence for tradition with an avant-garde spirit, are uniquely positioned to grasp the “tradition of innovation” that has guided Patek Philippe since its founding in 1839.
In keeping with the tradition of previous exhibitions, “Watch Art” Tokyo 2023 took place in an iconic venue within the host city. The exhibition occupied the Sankaku Hiroba (“triangular plaza”) event space, nestled at the base of the Shinjuku Sumitomo skyscraper. This expansive location covered approximately 3,200 square meters and featured a massive glass roof that soared to a height of 25 meters at its tallest point, devoid of internal supporting columns. Within this space filled with natural light, Patek Philippe crafted a remarkable environment spanning more than 2,500 square meters – the largest ever created for a grand exhibition. This immersive setting recreated the streets of Geneva and the picturesque lakeside scenes, including the renowned Flower Clock. The exhibition, divided into ten thematic rooms, guided visitors on a captivating journey through the universe of Patek Philippe, incorporating iconic Geneva landmarks such as the historic headquarters on rue du Rhône, the watchmaking facility at Plan-les-Ouates, and the illustrious Patek Philippe Museum. It was as if visitors had magically traversed the 10,000 kilometers separating Geneva from Tokyo.
The grand exhibition “Watch Art” Tokyo 2023 showcased nearly 500 timepieces and objects, exemplifying a rich tapestry of diverse expertise. Among the highlights, visitors had the opportunity to explore Patek Philippe’s complete current collection, encompassing a wide range of watch families and models designed for both men and women, spanning all segments of watchmaking, from iconic styles to technically intricate mechanisms. A special emphasis was placed on complicated watches, a forte of the manufacture, with a dedicated section exclusively dedicated to supercomplications and a designated area named “Master of Sound,” spotlighting chiming timepieces. Another section featured Patek Philippe’s extensive collection of movements, entirely designed and crafted in-house, with exhibits illustrating the various stages of part production and a separate space dedicated to research and development. Guests also had the privilege of interacting with Patek Philippe master watchmakers who conducted demonstrations on a variety of movements.
The exhibition also celebrated the meticulous rare handcrafts preserved by Patek Philippe, including miniature enamel painting, Grand Feu cloisonné enamel, hand engraving, micro wood marquetry, hand-executed guilloché work, and gemsetting. It featured a stunning assortment of 40 one-of-a-kind pieces and limited editions, including dome clocks, table clocks, pocket watches, and wristwatches, inspired by Japanese culture, drawing from its rich artistic heritage and age-old craftsmanship. The event also offered live demonstrations by artisans and showcased exceptional pieces graciously lent by Japanese collectors.
Furthermore, the exhibition served as a unique opportunity to explore a curated selection of approximately 190 timepieces from the Patek Philippe Museum in Geneva. These historical timepieces were divided into two categories: the “Antique Collection” spanning from the sixteenth to the early nineteenth century, featuring some of the world’s oldest watches and numerous horological masterpieces tracing the entire history of timekeeping, and the “Patek Philippe Collection” offering a comprehensive overview of the Genevan manufacture’s rich heritage since 1839, encompassing both technical and aesthetic milestones. An exhibit titled “Historical Owners” allowed visitors to admire timepieces that once belonged to illustrious patrons, including Queen Victoria.
In keeping with its predecessors, the grand exhibition “Watch Art” Tokyo 2023 coincided with the launch of several limited-edition timepieces, showcasing the manufacturer’s exceptional capabilities. Among these six new releases, two technical marvels made their global debut: a new self-winding Quadruple Complication with a minute repeater, split-seconds chronograph, and instantaneous perpetual calendar in apertures (Reference 5308P-010), and the inaugural World Time watch featuring a date display synchronized with local time (Reference 5330G-010). The selection was rounded out by an exclusive version of the World Time Minute Repeater, adorned with a Grand Feu cloisonné enamel dial center depicting Tokyo’s historic Chuo district (Reference 5531R-014), an elegant reinterpretation of the ladies’ Moon Phase model in a graceful pearl gray hue (Reference 7121/200G-010), and two sleek new Calatrava models paying tribute to the cherished Asian tradition of “pair watches” (References 6127G-010 and 7127G-010).
To commemorate the grand exhibition “Watch Art” Tokyo 2023, Patek Philippe has produced a special catalog showcasing all the timepieces featured. The proceeds from the limited-edition catalog’s sales will be donated to the National Federation of UNESCO Associations in Japan.
Patek Philippe, through its grand exhibitions, aims to share its passion for horology with a diverse audience, ranging from seasoned enthusiasts to newcomers, by offering free admission and fostering a deeper connection with its creations, heritage, philosophy, and dedication to fine craftsmanship. This tradition will continue in Milan, a hub of fashion and design, in 2025.
Fore more information, please visit Patek.com.