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Lot Essay
Dome Clock ‘Flamingos’
A superb example of one of Patek Philippe’s famous solar-powered ‘Dome’ clocks, the present clock is decorated using the ancient art of cloisonné enamelling with surely one of the most beautiful and appealing subjects so far seen on one of these unique and highly exclusive timepieces. Sold with the original Certificate of Origin, it is named ‘Flamands Roses’ or ‘Pink Flamingos’. Made in 1987, this completely unique piece is a work of art with entirely hand-made cloisonné enamel panels decorated by a master craftsperson in the exacting art of enamelling.
The three cloisonné enamel curved side panels feature pink flamingos in water and in flight against a blue background, the dome and dial surround is richly enamelled to match. The design is created by the highly skilled enamel artist using a variety of opaque and transparent enamel colours, each element requiring eight firings at a temperature of 850 degrees centigrade. The design requires several meters of 0.6 mm gold wire to form the cells or ‘cloisons’ which are then filled with enamel powder and fired.
The cloisonné enamel technique is only ever used by Patek Philippe 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, exquisite 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 cloisonné enamel scenes or sometimes engraved or leather-covered with applied ornaments. The completion of one single clock can take up to a year, resulting in an 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.
A superb example of one of Patek Philippe’s famous solar-powered ‘Dome’ clocks, the present clock is decorated using the ancient art of cloisonné enamelling with surely one of the most beautiful and appealing subjects so far seen on one of these unique and highly exclusive timepieces. Sold with the original Certificate of Origin, it is named ‘Flamands Roses’ or ‘Pink Flamingos’. Made in 1987, this completely unique piece is a work of art with entirely hand-made cloisonné enamel panels decorated by a master craftsperson in the exacting art of enamelling.
The three cloisonné enamel curved side panels feature pink flamingos in water and in flight against a blue background, the dome and dial surround is richly enamelled to match. The design is created by the highly skilled enamel artist using a variety of opaque and transparent enamel colours, each element requiring eight firings at a temperature of 850 degrees centigrade. The design requires several meters of 0.6 mm gold wire to form the cells or ‘cloisons’ which are then filled with enamel powder and fired.
The cloisonné enamel technique is only ever used by Patek Philippe 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, exquisite 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 cloisonné enamel scenes or sometimes engraved or leather-covered with applied ornaments. The completion of one single clock can take up to a year, resulting in an 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.