Patek Philippe Cultivates Italian Market With Exclusive Handcrafts in Milan

Introducing The A. Lange & Söhne Datograph Perpetual In Platinum With Bracelet (Live Pics) Introducing The Porsche Design Chronograph 1 Utility – Limited Edition for Hodinkee The exhibition is over, but for those who couldn't make it, here's what you missed. For a few years, the general date for the Patek Philippe Watch Art Grand Exhibition has been circled on my calendar. Fall 2026—somewhere in there, I'd have to find a way to visit Milan. I had hoped that I would go as part of my job, of course, but after missing the last exhibition in Tokyo, I knew that, even if I had to go on my own, it would be easier to visit Italy, a place that I feel very attached to thanks to the mentorship of the great Italian collectors and dealers. Luckily, a press preview was in the cards, and now that the event is wrapped up (it ran from October 2 to the 18th), I wanted to bring the experience to those who couldn't attend. One of the great parts about the Grand Exhibitions, this one being the seventh, is that the brand opens them to the public for free, bringing the history and savoir-faire of watchmaking to a new market at each show. While those of us in the industry get to see things like enameling demonstrations or movement construction as part of our jobs, the Watch Art Grand Exhibition brings that to life for those who aren't as lucky. More than that, Patek Philippe goes so far as to organize

MILAN — Countess Koscowicz of Hungary was arguably the first owner of a Patek Philippe wristwatch. In 1868 the Swiss high watchmaker created its first full-fledged timepiece with a key-winding baguette movement set on a yellow gold case and finished with rose-cut diamonds. The item, with reference number P-49, is among the 500-plus watches and clocks, including Patek Philippe ’s, on display at the seventh and largest-to date edition of its Watch Art Grand Exhibition , held in Milan. Spread across 31,215 square feet at CityOval Milano — a recently renovated Art Nouveau venue formerly known as Palazzo delle Scintille — the exhibition traces Patek Philippe’s history and contemporary innovations, including several new launches. “Italy represents a market of long-standing importance for our Manufacture — a market of connoisseurs, treasuring rare handcrafts and able to appreciate all the technical excellence and painstaking workmanship contained in a timepiece,” said Patek Philippe’s president Thierry Stern at a preview walk-through of the exhibit on Thursday. In 1932 his great-grandfather, Charles Stern, acquired the Swiss watchmaker founded in 1839 alongside his brother Jean Stern after being long-term dial suppliers of the brand. Thierry has been president of the company since 2009 when his father, Philippe, passed the baton to him. Characterizing the Milan edition of the Watch Ar

Italy’s varied landscapes, art and traditions give Patek Philippe plenty to work with. For its Watch Art Grand Exhibition in Milan, the manufacture has created 25 Rare Handcrafts pieces reserved just for the Italian market: we’re looking at six dome clocks, one table clock, four pocket watches and fourteen wristwatches altogether. Their subjects range from roadtrips in a Cinquecento to Venetian lace and a portrait of Dante. The finest enamel, engraving, guilloché and wood marquetry give each one its own unique Italian story. The collection will be shown at CityOval from 2 to 18 October, and forms part of a much larger exhibition of around 500 timepieces and objects. Important and historic pieces from the Patek Philippe Museum will be displayed and demonstrations by watchmakers and artisans will be held at the exhibition – pretty much a must-attend for any watch nerd in the area. Beginning the Rare Handcraft collection are four different Calatravas following a quintessential Italian road trip from behind the wheel of the iconic city cars produced by Fiat – the Cinquecento. Each is a six-piece edition in white or rose gold, combining cloisonné enamel with miniature paintings. A Clous de Paris pattern frames the dial on the bezel, while classic dauphine-style hands tell the time. Each watch is supplied with an alligator leather strap, matching the tone of the dial. In the “Amalfi

The Watch Art Grand Exhibition Milano 2026 is a Patek Philippe extravaganza that’s on show until October 18 at CityOval, a restored 1920s sporting complex. Hundreds of timepieces populate the over-30,000 sq ft space, including 99 from the venerable Patek Philippe Museum. But some watches stand out, for reasons ranging from artisanal beauty to historical significance – here’s five worth paying attention to. Starting with the present day are a duo from the Rare Handcrafts collection put together specifically for this event. These are proof that beauty is both rare and expensive – each is a one-off and costs about US$800,000. The first is the Rare Handcrafts Pocket Watch ref. 995/147G-001 “Venetian Cruise” that is literal: the reverse depicts a journey across the waters of Venice from the perspective of a passenger on a runabout, perhaps a Riva. The scene is something of a modern riff on classical painting depicting the entrance to the Grand Canal of Venice. The wood deck of the boat is actually wood – the dial has over 330 pieces of wood forming the marquetry motif. The lake and buildings, which include the Basilica of Santa Maria della Salute, are in miniature enamel painting. The juxtaposition of techniques and intricacy of the work make this a particularly compelling piece. In contrast, the front of the watch is functional and almost no-frills, yet entirely appropriate. The di