From the Patek Philippe Gondolo to the Twenty~4, every one of its watches developed with feminine aesthetics exudes a confidence of their own.
A couple of years after the launch of the Patek Philippe Ref. 7300/1200A-001 Twenty~4 Automatic, there was a wedding of a local client who walked down the aisle in a modern and minimalist dress. What was remarkable was her choice of accessories: nothing except her engagement ring and a Patek Philippe Ref. 7300/1200A-001 Twenty~4 Automatic in blue sunburst dial. She later revealed that while it was something her husband had chosen for her, and her in-laws gifted, she loved its design and effortless elegance. It didn’t need any further elaboration, in her opinion, and turned her into a loyal client of the independent Genevan watchmaker.
Every timepiece by Patek Philippe feels like they are engineered with the philosophy of ‘it alone is enough’. Whether they are meant for the Rare Handcrafts series or for ladies, a Patek Philippe watch needs no further embellishment. The Twenty~4 collection in particular was created specifically to appeal to a growing demographic of new clients desiring utility, identity, and elegance in style in 1999. It is a testament to Patek Philippe’s design ethos that the Ref. 4910/1200A remains one of the most popular models in its catalogue.
The Patek Philippe Refs. 4910/1201R-010 Twenty~4 in rose gold case and bracelet with concentric wave pattern and purple lacquer dial (left) is the latest iteration of the Twenty~4, which was refreshed six years ago with the Ref. 4910/1200A-010 (right) in stainless steel with an anthracite sunburst dial. The new dial pattern creates a strikingly different aesthetic in the minimalist design.
Last year, for its 25th anniversary, Patek Philippe unveiled a further refinement of the Twenty~4, continuing from fine tweaks to its design six years ago. The concentric wave embossed pattern, first seen on the dial of the Ladies’ Calatrava, enhances the effect of the sunburst dials seen in the Ref. 4910/1200A-010.
Decorative Geometry
The Patek Philippe Ref. 7042/100G-010 Gondolo Haute Joaillerie offers a more dramatic presentation of the same watch-as-jewelry philosophy, clad in diamonds and pearls.
The idea of the wristwatch as a piece of jewellery started with Patek Philippe in its first reference for Countess Koscowicz of Hungary. This continues to be the inspiration for its high jewellery watches, which blur the line between the two luxury categories. One excellent example is the Ref. 7042/100G-010 Gondolo Haute Joaillerie, which is also available in a rose gold case (Ref. 7042/100R-010). The Gondolo collection, named after an important era in Patek Philippe’s history with Rio de Janeiro, references striking designs from the past, with contemporary movements and details for the modern collector.
The case back of the Patek Philippe Ref. 7042/100R-010 Gondolo Haute Joaillerie reveals its mechanical manual-winding Caliber 215 and the ladder-style bracelet set with Akoya pearls and princess-cut diamonds.
The cushion case and broad lugs hint at its Art Deco inspiration, with trapeze diamond hour markers and brilliant-cut diamonds in a circular pattern set on the dial. Its bezel and lugs feature baguette diamonds, while the bracelet has Akoya pearls and princess-cut diamonds set on the links. It’s dainty and exquisite, and even more precious as it features the highly compact Caliber 215, which is certified with the Patek Philippe Seal. Pearls are rarely used in watchmaking, but their radiance are fully expressed in the Ref. 7042.
Flair and Fluidity
The Patek Philippe Ref. 5738/1R-001 Golden Ellipse introduces its chain-mail style bracelet that moves like it is a second skin on the wrist.
Across Patek Philippe’s creations, one quality that is central to their design is fluidity. A watch that isn’t comfortable to wear is a watch that does not serve its purpose well. That is why the brand emphasises comfort, both in its aesthetics and ergonomics. This is especially evident with its metal bracelets and composite straps. Last year, it unveiled a new chain-style bracelet for the Golden Ellipse that took over 15 years of development with a German partner, Wellendorff, that achieved its aim of a highly flexible bracelet with a sophisticated design that did not add to the thickness of the ultra-thin dress watch.
Composed of 363 elements and 300 links that are set by hand, the chain-like bracelet of the Patek Philippe Ref. 5738/1R-001 moves effortlessly, like a fine silk scarf.
The result is a watch that lies on the boundary of jewellery and timepiece, with the sum of its parts becoming a greater whole. It recalls the Milanese-style bracelet of the 1960s which were highly popular when the Golden Ellipse was born, while retaining its modern lines and mesmerising symmetry. Rather than draw attention away from the black sunburst dial, the polished links and case call greater attention to it, that’s inked with just five words (Patek Philippe, Genève, Swiss Made) and 12 baton-style indexes. It’s a watch that needs no further embellishment.
Discover more Patek Phillipe collections with Cortina Watch online, visit us at our boutiques, or contact a sales representative today to learn more.
