Rooms With A View: What to expect at the Patek Philippe exhibition in Singapore

Journalists who were at the Patek Philippe’s Baselworld presentation earlier this year were among those to receive firsthand breaking news of the fifth Grand Exhibition by the last family-owned independent Genevan timepiece manufacturer.

 For those lucky enough to have visited the previous chapters in Dubai (2012), Munich (2013), London (2015) or New York (2017), they would have more than an inkling of what to expect for the upcoming one in Singapore.

Occupying 1800 sqm and spanning ten themed rooms, the presentation is like a personal visit to the watchmaker’s historic salons on Rue du Rhône in Geneva, its manufacture in Plan-les-Ouates and the Patek Philippe Museum — encapsulated and reimagined for the Southeast Asian audience.

What makes this Grand Exhibition edition so special is its synchronicity with the Singapore Bicentennial—an earmark of the significance of the island state and the Southeast Asian nations in terms of their appreciation for fine horology. In addition, the event will also celebrate the launch of limited special-edition watches alongside a rare handcrafts collection infused with the cultural and artistic expressions of the region.

Watching the film chronicling Patek’s history in the Cinema Room is the best way to get immersed in its world. Then step into the Current Collection Room, with interiors inspired by the Patek Philippe Salon on Rue du Rhône in Geneva, to appreciate the watchmaker’s current collection. 

Next, view Patek’s limited special editions created specifically for the Southeast Asian market at the intimate Napoleon Room, surrounded by spectacular motion-picture views of Lake Geneva.

Absolutely not to be missed is the Museum Room, where a selection from the Patek Philippe Museum (inaugurated in 2001) including very rare timekeeping instruments will be exhibited in Singapore for the first time. It is also the first time that such a big collection has been loaned from the museum and showcased abroad.

Among the most prized of ancestral skills used in the embellishment of Patek wristwatches and table clocks is the work of enamel painters whose guild has fostered a centuries-old link to watchmaking. Get up close with these specialist artisans as they demonstrate their artistry and techniques at the Rare Handcrafts Room.

Also, watch live on site the manufacture’s master watchmakers display their finesse and expertise on the inner workings of mechanical timepieces at the Watchmakers Room.

Underscoring the reputation of Patek Philippe is its mastery of grand complications of which the Grand Complications Room is the space to head to for hardcore horology collectors and aficionados. The concentration of the most complicated and innovative Patek timepieces in this unique overview is unparalleled.

The Movements Room is dedicated to the expansive catalogue of Patek Philippe movements from simple calibres to elaborate ones, while the Interactive Room offers a hands-on experiential tour of the manufacture and its calibre engineering processes.

Last but not least, the Singapore 200th Anniversary Room highlights the twin trajectories of Patek’s timepieces and events, coupled with Singapore’s historical milestones. A salute to the island-state and its neighbouring countries, this specially appointed exhibition complex gives a glimpse of their history, culture, art and natural surroundings via an extraordinary selection of timepieces on loan from museums and private collectors.

The highlights include: a Genevan pocket watch that depicts the port of Canton in miniature painting on enamel (S-112/1830); a dome table clock (Ref. 20074M) decorated with the “Thai Ornaments” motif in cloisonné enamel infused with silver spangles; peach-shaped pendant watches (S-303A-B/1810); a dome table clock themed “Tropical Island” (Ref. 20087M); and two pocket watches (P-1457) that once belonged to King Rama V of Siam.