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Lot Essay
Purchased by the present owner in December 2013, this Dome clock has never been offered in public before and impresses with its excellent overall condition.
This unique piece was chosen by Patek Philippe as part of their prestigious exhibition "KunstWerkUhr" of October 2013 at the Kunsthalle, Munich.
The three cloisonné enamel curved side panels, dome and dial feature artistic flower and foliage motifs inspired by designs of the famous Nymphenburg Porcelain Manufactory in Munich. The design is created by the highly skilled enamel artist using approximately 33 opaque, opalescent and transparent enamel colours, each element requiring eight firings at a temperature of 850 degrees centigrade. The design required an incredible 47.99 metres of 0.6 mm gold wire with a total weight of 96 grams.
The cloisonné enamel technique is used by Patek Philippe only for very small editions of timepieces or unique dome clocks. The very limited production is a result of the few artisans skilled enough to decorate the clock's challenging curved surfaces, works of art in their own right and highly appreciated in today's collector market. Since their launch in 1955, few examples of these clocks are produced every year, each unique by its individually decorated case featuring engravings of varying pattern, cloisonné enamel scenes or leather-covered with applied ornaments. The completion of one single clock can take up to a year resulting in a unique and exceptionally beautiful work of art.
Examples of Dome clocks are prominently illustrated and described in Patek Philippe Museum - Patek Philippe Watches Vol. II, pp. 403 - 411.
This unique piece was chosen by Patek Philippe as part of their prestigious exhibition "KunstWerkUhr" of October 2013 at the Kunsthalle, Munich.
The three cloisonné enamel curved side panels, dome and dial feature artistic flower and foliage motifs inspired by designs of the famous Nymphenburg Porcelain Manufactory in Munich. The design is created by the highly skilled enamel artist using approximately 33 opaque, opalescent and transparent enamel colours, each element requiring eight firings at a temperature of 850 degrees centigrade. The design required an incredible 47.99 metres of 0.6 mm gold wire with a total weight of 96 grams.
The cloisonné enamel technique is used by Patek Philippe only for very small editions of timepieces or unique dome clocks. The very limited production is a result of the few artisans skilled enough to decorate the clock's challenging curved surfaces, works of art in their own right and highly appreciated in today's collector market. Since their launch in 1955, few examples of these clocks are produced every year, each unique by its individually decorated case featuring engravings of varying pattern, cloisonné enamel scenes or leather-covered with applied ornaments. The completion of one single clock can take up to a year resulting in a unique and exceptionally beautiful work of art.
Examples of Dome clocks are prominently illustrated and described in Patek Philippe Museum - Patek Philippe Watches Vol. II, pp. 403 - 411.