Patek Philippe Unveils the 2025 Rare Handcrafts Collection at Geneva Exhibition
- wgclients01
- Mar 27
- 4 min read
In April, the Patek Philippe Salons in Geneva will exhibit 78 new Rare Handcrafts creations. From April 5 to 26 2025, the public and devotees will have the chance to discover, in the historic building on the rue du Rhône, the new Patek Philippe “Rare Handcrafts 2025” collection, a rich array of timepieces combining technical prowess with unlimited inventiveness. Live demonstrations by artisan engravers and enamellers will be a feature of the event.
5738/50J-011 “Yellow-Crested Cockatoo” / Golden Ellipse wristwatch with dial in cloisonné enamel enriched with miniature painting on enamel
As the guardian of exceptional know-how, Patek Philippe unveils each year a new collection of one-ofa-kind and limited-edition pieces showcasing all the rare handcrafts associated for almost five centuries with the decoration of timepieces. True to its “tradition of innovation” the Genevan manufacture is intent on enabling all these exceptional techniques to progress, by constantly pushing the boundaries of possibility and drawing on increasingly varied sources of inspiration – in a dazzling display of creativity as regards the themes.
The “Rare Handcrafts 2025” collection (a total of 78 pieces, comprising 23 dome table clocks and small dome table clocks, 1 desk clock, 10 pocket watches and 44 Calatrava and Golden Ellipse wristwatches) once again shines the spotlight on a vast range of artistic skills. The latter include a wealth of centuries-old techniques (Grand Feu cloisonné enamel, miniature painting on enamel, grisaille enamel, flinqué enamel, paillonné enamel, Fauré enamel, hand engraving, hand-executed guilloché work, and gemsetting) raised to new heights of excellence. Patek Philippe also highlights several techniques that are innovating in horology, such as Longwy enamel on faience and wood micro-marquetry –this year gracing a dome table clock for the first time.
These pieces, with their ever-more refined, original and astonishing decorations, will be presented to great effect in an elegant decor divided into three areas. Visitors will be greeted in the central area by an outstanding group of twelve Calatrava wristwatches, their bezels adorned with Clous de Paris or “hobnail” guilloché work framing dials in grisaille enamel au blanc de Limoges, cloisonné enamel and paillonné enamel representing the constellations associated with the signs of the zodiac.
The salon facing the lake will group all the pieces celebrating the beauties of nature (flora, fauna, Provence, the Amazon) including a large gallery of bird portraits –such as the Golden Ellipse wristwatch Reference 5738/50J-011 “Yellow-Crested Cockatoo”, its dial in cloisonné enamel enriched with miniature painting on enamel.
The salon looking onto the Rue du Rhône will give center stage to legendary examples of human endeavor, ranging from painting, music, literature and architecture to vineyards, traditional Lake Geneva barques and sport. Notable among them is the dome table clock Reference 20191M-001 “Skiing in Days Gone By” in cloisonné enamel enriched with miniature painting on enamel.
The “Rare Handcrafts 2025” exhibition will be open to the public from April 5 to 26 2025 in the Patek Philippe Salons in Geneva at 41 Rue du Rhône, every day except Sunday, from 11.00 to 18.00 (last entry at 17.00). Visitors are invited to register online beforehand on the site patek.com. (https://www.patek.com/rhc2025) as from March 24 2025.
Japanese refinement
A painting on silk by the Japanese artist Itô Jakuchû (1716–1800) inspired the dial of this limited edition of ten watches in Grand Feu cloisonné enamel depicting a yellow-crested cockatoo perched on a pine branch.
Creating the outlines of the bird and the highly detailed tree called for a remarkable 90 cm of gold wire (~0.31 g) shaped by hand. The blend of colors both vibrant and soft necessitated a palette of translucent, opaque and opalescent enamels in 20 shades. Details owe their finesse to miniature painting on enamel. Each dial underwent an average of 15 firings at more than 800°C.
The yellow-gold Golden Ellipse case contains a solid back and harmonious proportions inspired by the ancient golden section. The hours and minutes are displayed by cheveu-style hands, stamped in yellow gold. This iconic watch houses a caliber 240 ultra-thin self-winding movement.
This watch is worn on a hand-stitched alligator leather strap in shiny coral, endowed with a prong buckle in yellow gold reflecting the elliptical shape of the case.
20191M-001 “Skiing in Days Gone By” / Dome table clock in cloisonné enamel enriched with miniature painting on enamel
In homage to Swiss graphic design
Inspired by the old posters of Swiss ski resorts, this unique piece in Grand Feu cloisonné enamel conjures up a golden age for Alpine tourism and Swiss graphic design.
Tracing the contours of the different motifs, notably the typography, called for 16.07 m of gold wire (38.93 g) in three different widths. To render the colors of the era, the enameller worked with an opulent palette of 45 enamel colors, mainly translucent, but with some semi-translucent or opaque. Details owe their finesse to miniature painting on enamel in 7 colors, including the brown enamel used for the frieze of mountains encircling the dome. Each enameled plate underwent 12 firings at a temperature of 770°C.
An hour circle adorned with a striated sunburst pattern presents applied Arabic numerals in navy-blue lacquer harmonizing with hands in the shape of skis, their points also lacquered in navy blue. A dial center in genuine leather recalls the cozy comfort of the chalets. Micro-appliques in yellow gold form the Patek Philippe logo.
This piece is powered by the caliber 17’’’ PEND mechanical movement rewound by an electric motor.
