Not all images were able to load for printing. Please close the print window and try again. Tokyo Calling – Patek Philippe Is In Town!
A unique journey into watchmaking at Patek Philippe’s Watch Art Grand Exhibition in Tokyo
Want to understand why Patek Philippe is considered the “ne plus ultra” in the realm of watchmaking, and you happen to be in Tokyo between the 10th and 25th of June? Well, there is one event you cannot miss because Patek Philippe is in town hosting the sixth edition of its Grand Exhibition, offering visitors a unique 360-degree view of the brand’s universe. Open to the public free of charge, Patek will take over the Sumitomo Sankaku Hiroba glass skyscraper to stage the largest exhibition ever organised by the Genevan brand. A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, Patek Philippe is ready to open the doors of its Watch Art Grand Exhibition Tokyo 2023.
If you haven’t had the chance to visit the Patek Philippe Museum in Geneva or its majestic Rue de Rhone boutique, this Grand Exhibition is the next best thing. Now in its sixth edition, the Tokyo Exhibition is the largest ever organised by the manufacture and is an open invitation to explore the brand’s creations, heritage and rare handcrafts. Patek’s Grand Exhibitions – Dubai 2012, Munich 2013, London 2015, New York 2017 and Singapore 2019 – have welcomed some 165,000 visitors to date.
The Grand Exhibition will take place in a vast hall covered by a massive glass roof rising to 25 meters at the foot of the triangular Shinjuku Sumitomo skyscraper. In this area bathed in natural light, Patek Philippe will create a decor of more than 2,500 square meters – the largest ever conceived for a Grand Exhibition –conjuring up the streets of Geneva and the city’s lakeside setting, including the famous Flower Clock.
Divided into ten themed areas, Patek will bring together 500 timepieces and objects, including the entire current collection and 50 unique pieces inspired by Japanese culture. One of the most popular sections will be the rare handcrafts (miniature painting on enamel, cloisonné enamel, micro wood marquetry, guillochage, gem setting, etc.) with artisans practising in situ. The exhibition will also present 190 pieces from Patek Philippe’s Museum in Geneva. Those from the Antique Collection represent some of the oldest watches in the world, while those from the Patek Philippe Collection trace the brand’s rich heritage from the first known perpetual calendar wristwatch, launched by Patek Philippe in 1925, the World Time wristwatch 1415 HU of 1948 and a pocket watch with minute repeater and a 30-day power reserve of 1918 that had belonged to James Ward Packard (see below).
One of the ten rooms will be dedicated to super complications (Calibre 89 and Star Calibre 2000) with a Master of Sound to admire and hear Patek’s famous chiming watches, including the most complex of all, the Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime with 20 complications, and the Sky Moon Tourbillon Reference 6002R-001. Visitors will also have the chance to meet Patek Philippe master watchmakers, who will carry out demonstrations. Last but not least, Patek will also mark the occasion with the release of limited editions, including some technical world firsts.
Although admission is free, all visitors, including infants, need to make advance reservations here.
- Patek Philippe Watch Art Grand Exhibition Tokyo 2023
- Venue: Shinjuku Sumitomo Building Sankaku Hiroba2-6-1 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-002
- Date: June 10 – June 25
- Opening hours: 10:00-20:00 (admission until 1 hour before closing). Sunday 25th from 10:00-17:00 only (last entry at 16:00)
