SourcingApr 29, 2024
De Beers to Move Auction HQ from Singapore to BotswanaSales will be paused while the relocation takes place over the next few months.
WatchesJul 11, 2017
Patek Philippe’s Grand Exhibition Opens in NY This Week
The event features 10 themed rooms to showcase the brand’s watchmaking, including one displaying notable timepieces from iconic U.S. collectors.
Pictured here is “The Packard,” an astronomical pocket watch from the private collection of James Ward Packard, which will be on display at the upcoming Patek Philippe event, The Art of Watches Grand Exhibition New York.
New York--Centuries of Patek Philippe’s watchmaking history soon will be on display in New York City.
The brand’s The Art of Watches Grand Exhibition New York opens Thursday at Cipriani 42nd Street, offering the public a look into its 178-year history and some of its most important pieces.
For the first time, a two-story structure has been created in the event venue to accommodate its scale. It will feature 10 themed rooms, including a Theater Room, Current Collection Room, Museum Room, U.S. Historic Room, Rare Handcrafts Gallery and Watchmakers Room.
The U.S. Historic Room will have a curated collection of 27 timepieces on loan from various museums--like the Patek Philippe Museum in Geneva and the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum in Boston—as well as from some of the brand’s most renowned private collectors across the country.
Highlights in the room will include 11 timepieces from two of the most iconic Patek Philippe collectors from the early 20th century: Henry Graves Jr. and James Ward Packard. Between the two of them, these titans of industry garnered some of the most complicated and significant timepieces of their era.
Henry Graves Jr. was a New York banker and fine arts enthusiast who commissioned many timepieces from Patek Philippe. This included the “Henry Graves Supercomplication” pocket watch, created in 1933 and featuring 24 complications, which Sotheby’s sold in 2014 for a record-breaking $24 million dollars.
The collection of Graves’ pieces in the U.S Historic Room will showcase six significant watches from the Patek Philippe Museum, including his 1928 open-face, keyless winding pocket watch with minute repeater, Grande Sonnerie, Petite Sonnerie, Perpetual Calendar and Moon Phases.
James Ward Packard, meanwhile, was an automobile magnate from Warren, Ohio. He also commissioned a number of complicated watches from the brand, including the first timepiece featuring a celestial sky chart made by Patek Philippe.
His astronomical pocket watch, “The Packard,” will be among the five watches presented from his personal collection. Commissioned in 1927, it features a minute repeater on three gongs, perpetual calendar, age and phases of the moon, time of sunrise and sunset in Warren, Ohio, running equation of time and sky chart for the latitude of Warren.
The back of the case also opens to reveal a rotating celestial map with more than 500 gold stars, showing the night sky as it would be on any given night over Warren.
Other highlights of
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
the exhibition will be a historic desk clock commissioned by German retailer Heinz Wipperfeld and manufactured by Patek Philippe for President John F. Kennedy (pictured above). The autonomous quartz desk clock was presented to President Kennedy by the mayor of West Berlin, Willy Brandt, during his visit in June 1963, right after his well-known “Ich bin ein Berliner” speech.
The historic desk clock showcases the time in Moscow, Washington, D.C. and Berlin to “signify the establishment of a direct communication line between Washington D.C. and Moscow,” the brand said.
Also prominently featured in the room will be baseball legend Joe DiMaggio’s Patek Philippe Ref. 130J, created in 1948 and one of Patek Philippe’s most sought-after chronograph references, according to the brand.
It’s believed that the owners of the New York Yankees gave the timepiece to DiMaggio. It recently was purchased at auction by a private collector, who loaned it to Patek Philippe for the event.
“The United States has been an extremely important market for Patek Philippe collectors since the 1850s,” said Larry Pettinelli, President of Patek Philippe U.S. “We hope to showcase some of these extraordinary timepieces, as well as putting into context the evolution of Patek Philippe within the U.S. market.”
The Art of Watches Grand Exhibition New York will run from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. every day (with free admission) through July 23.
On Saturday, July 22, Patek Phillipe will hold a family day at the event, featuring specially created balloons and a coloring station. Children will be able to sit side-by-side with a Patek Philippe watchmaker at the bench to be taught about the brand and mechanical timepieces, among other activities.
The historic desk clock showcases the time in Moscow, Washington, D.C. and Berlin to “signify the establishment of a direct communication line between Washington D.C. and Moscow,” the brand said.
Also prominently featured in the room will be baseball legend Joe DiMaggio’s Patek Philippe Ref. 130J, created in 1948 and one of Patek Philippe’s most sought-after chronograph references, according to the brand.
It’s believed that the owners of the New York Yankees gave the timepiece to DiMaggio. It recently was purchased at auction by a private collector, who loaned it to Patek Philippe for the event.
“The United States has been an extremely important market for Patek Philippe collectors since the 1850s,” said Larry Pettinelli, President of Patek Philippe U.S. “We hope to showcase some of these extraordinary timepieces, as well as putting into context the evolution of Patek Philippe within the U.S. market.”
The Art of Watches Grand Exhibition New York will run from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. every day (with free admission) through July 23.
On Saturday, July 22, Patek Phillipe will hold a family day at the event, featuring specially created balloons and a coloring station. Children will be able to sit side-by-side with a Patek Philippe watchmaker at the bench to be taught about the brand and mechanical timepieces, among other activities.
More on Watches
The Latest
CollectionsApr 29, 2024
Simone I. Smith Mixes Denim and Diamonds in New Collection“SIS x MISA Denim and Diamonds” is a collaboration between the designer and celebrity stylist Misa Hylton.
IndependentsApr 29, 2024
Venus Jewelers Relocating After 45 YearsThe retailer is moving to a newly designed space in the same shopping center.
Brought to you by
Rio’s Reimagined Podcast: For the Love of JewelersMeet Ben Claus—grand prize winner of For the Love of Jewelers 2023 Fall Design Challenge.
SurveysApr 29, 2024
Mother’s Day Jewelry Spending to Reach $7B, Says NRFGifts that are unique and thoughtful are top of mind this year, according to the annual survey.
Weekly QuizApr 26, 2024
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these seven questions.
CollectionsApr 26, 2024
Piece of the Week: Jacquie Aiche’s Starry Galaxy NecklaceThe necklace is featured in the brand’s “Rebel Heart” campaign starring Adam Levine and Behati Prinsloo.
Events & AwardsApr 26, 2024
AGS Conclave and GIA Symposium Are ConvergingThe two organizations will host a joint event, “Converge,” in September 2025.
Brought to you by
The Blueprint for Success in Scalable, Personalized Jewelry RetailWith Ho Brothers, you can unlock your brand's true potential and offer customers the personalized jewelry experiences they desire.
SourcingApr 26, 2024
Anglo American Reportedly Shopping De Beers as BHP Eyes Anglo Big changes appear to be on the horizon for the diamond miner and its parent company, Anglo American.
Events & AwardsApr 25, 2024
Alexis Padis Takes Over as AGS Board President Padis succeeds Lisa Bridge, marking the first time the organization has had two women board presidents in a row.
EditorsApr 25, 2024
5 Tips for Creating Fans from the Top (Savannah) Banana Jesse Cole, founder of Fans First Entertainment, shared the “five Es” of building a fan base during his AGS Conclave keynote.
SourcingApr 25, 2024
De Beers Lowers Production Guidance for 2024The announcement came as the company reported a 23 percent drop in production in Q1.
MajorsApr 25, 2024
Detroit Lions’ QB Jared Goff Keeps Going to JaredThe three-time Pro Bowler continues to partner with the retailer, donating to a Detroit nonprofit and giving watches to fans.
CrimeApr 24, 2024
Jewelry Crime Declines Significantly, But Dollar Losses Remain High A double-digit drop in the number of in-store crimes was offset by a jump in off-premises attacks, JSA’s 2023 crime report shows.
CollectionsApr 24, 2024
Pippa Small Announces ‘Venus’ CollectionInspired by the Roman goddess of love, the designer looked to the sea for her new collection.
FinancialsApr 24, 2024
Kering’s Jewelry Brands a Bright Spot in Tough Q1The luxury titan posted declining sales, weighed down by Gucci’s poor performance.
Events & AwardsApr 24, 2024
JCK Industry Fund Announces 2024 Grant RecipientsThe selected nine organizations have outlined their plans for the funds.
SourcingApr 24, 2024
Rio Tinto’s Q1 Production Drops Amid Pause to Honor Lost Colleagues The mining company’s Diavik Diamond Mine lost four employees in a plane crash in January.
ColumnistsApr 23, 2024
The Smart Lab: Advanced Email Marketing Strategies for Mother’s DayEmmanuel Raheb recommends digging into demographic data, customizing your store’s communications, and retargeting ahead of May 12.
IndependentsApr 23, 2024
Hannoush Jewelers Opens New Store in New York Located in the town of Queensbury, it features a dedicated bridal section and a Gabriel & Co. store-in-store.
SourcingApr 23, 2024
Lucapa Sells 3 Diamonds for $10.5M in First Lulo Tender of 2024A 203-carat diamond from the alluvial mine in Angola achieved the highest price.
GradingApr 23, 2024
GIA Has a New Book About William RuserRuser was known for his figural jewelry with freshwater pearls and for his celebrity clientele.
CollectionsApr 22, 2024
Jacquie Aiche’s New Campaign Stars Adam Levine, Behati PrinslooThe “Rebel Heart” campaign embodies rebellion, romance, and sensuality, the brand said.
EditorsApr 22, 2024
The 22 Best Quotes from AGS Conclave 2024 Editor-in-Chief Michelle Graff shares the standout moments from the education sessions she attended in Austin last week.
SourcingApr 22, 2024
Virtual Diamond Boutique Rebrands as ‘VDB’The overhaul includes a new logo and enhanced digital marketplace.
MajorsApr 22, 2024
Signet Raises Nearly $9M for St. Jude Children’s Research HospitalThe money will go toward supporting ongoing research and aftercare programs for childhood cancer survivors.
CollectionsApr 19, 2024
Piece of the Week: Retrouvaí’s Treasure NecklaceA new addition to the “Heirloom” collection, this one-of-a-kind piece features 32 custom-cut gemstones.
