Patek Philippe Opening Ceremony

28th of September: Patek Philippe opens the 2019 Patek Philippe Watch Art Grand Exhibition to the public. Featuring a visually spectacular dance performance choreographed to tell the story of Singapore.

Introductory speeches were given by Ms Deepa Chatrath (General Manager at Geneva Master Time), Mr Thierry Stern (President of Patek Philippe) and Ms Sim Ann (Senior Minister of State).

Ms Deepa Chatrath spoke on how the 2019 Patek Philippe Watch Art Grand Exhibition looked beyond the exhibition space in order to draw inspiration from the region. From the lush florals of Singapore to the elaborate architectural ornamentation found in Thailand, this Watch Art Grand Exhibition has localised the Patek Philippe experience by telling the story of Patek Philippe alongside the story of South East Asia.

A love for the product. Mr Thierry Stern spoke on what he likes best is to see Patek Philippe watches being worn and being appreciated. The South East Asian region is special for its long history of watch collecting. Many collectors in the region are part of a broader generational appreciation for Patek Philippe and fine watchmaking. It is not uncommon to meet 2nd, 3rd or even 4th generation Patek Philippe watch collectors. Most of whom have grown up surrounded by a culture that encourages collectors to wear and appreciate watches as opposed to locking them away.

Rounding off an interesting set of speeches, Ms Sim Ann spoke more generally on the Singaporean experience and how both Switzerland and Singapore have much in common. Through trade both Switzerland and Singapore came into contact with different cultures, and from these experiences came the artistic inspiration needed to make beautiful things.

Fittingly the opening ceremony took place in the Singapore Room. Dedicated to the arts and crafts of the region, the Singapore Room displays a fantastic array of Rare Handcrafts housed within themed display windows.

It’s a theme Patek Philippe has applied throughout the Watch Art Grand Exhibition, including – to stunning effect – Emmanuelle Moureaux’s coloured-paper installation in the main entrance area.

Patek Philippe Watch Art Grand Exhibition in Singapore

Running from the 28th of September until the 13th of October Patek Philippe is hosting the Watch Art Grand Exhibition at the Sands Theatre (Marina Bay Sands). Taking place during the Singapore Bicentennial year, the Grand Exhibition underlines the importance of Singapore and Southeast Asia for Patek Philippe. These markets are not only significant when it comes to the numbers of collectors and enthusiasts based in the region, they also play a major role in building an appreciation for the work of fine mechanical watchmaking. For more information click here.