Just a few days ago in Los Angeles, Patek Philippe brought together more than 150 top watch retailers and watch collectors at one of the nation’s most luxurious private mansions to showcase an exhibit of chronographs and minute repeaters.
Historical Museum pieces were brought in by the brand
In a stand-alone exhibit space in the gardens of the mansion, Patek Philippe displayed not only dozens of current chronographs, but also historical museum pocket watches and wristwatches that were brought in especially for the event, and that rarely travel outside of Geneva. Additionally, watchmakers were on hand to enable collectors (and a very few select journalists) to interact with the timepieces.
Three Patek Philippe minute repeaters
Even more exciting, however, was the cylindrically shaped, acoustically inspired building that was created expressly for the display of the minute repeaters — perhaps the first such comprehensive display of Patek Philippe Minute Repeaters seen in the US market yet. Nearly a dozen top minute repeaters were displayed in this room, where their sound was enhanced thanks to the cylinder’s construction – designed to maximize the resonance of the chimes.
The gardens of the mansion, where the event took place.
The event began with a welcome speech from Larry Pettinelli, Patek Philippe US President, followed by an introduction to the collection by Thierry Stern,President of Patek Philippe worldwide. Following a short film that outlined the company’s long history as a family owned entity with passionate leaders and the ability to always strive for innovation and perfection, guests were free throughout dinner to visit the exhibitions.
Inside the chronograph room, informative films looped, along side product displays.
We here at ATimelyPerpsective.com were also fortunate enough to secure a private interview with Thierry Stern. “It is not easy to build an event like this and to bring all the minute repeaters and museum pieces over from Switzerland,” says Stern. “But the US is still our biggest collector market, and it is important to bring them such a large grouping of special pieces to experience first hand.”
Stay tuned for a complete interview with Thierry Stern, airing tomorrow.
