First look: Highlights of Patek Philippe’s Rare Handcrafts 2018 exhibition

This year, 50 exceptional dome table clocks, pocket watches and wristwatches make up the collection.

Patek Philippe prides itself as one of the most dedicated guardians of grand traditions as much as it is known as a watchmaker.

One of its efforts in preserving and celebrating traditions is its Rare Handcrafts exhibition held annually at its Salons on Rue du Rhône in Geneva. The curated collection features the year’s most exquisite skills and craftsmanship, an ode by the maison to its creativity of sorts.

This year, 50 exceptional dome table clocks, pocket watches and wristwatches make up the 2018 collection, each a testament to the maison’s artisanal skill ranging from its iconic grand-feu enameling techniques to its immaculate gem-setting and hand guilloching.

Patek Philippe’s dome table clocks are particularly prized for its cloisonné enamel surface. Each piece is unique with varying themes and only a very small select number of artists are qualified to work on such objects that have curves to the panels where the enamel lies.

Here are some of the most beautiful pieces showcased at the 2018 exhibition:

The Galleon

Pocket watch with back in low-relief hand-engraving

Königssee in Bavaria

Pocket watch with back in miniature painting on enamel

Tavern in the Alps

Pocket watch with back in miniature painting on enamel

Italian Scenes 'Ponte Vecchio'

Set of three Calatrava wristwatches with dials in cloisonné enamel enriched with miniature painting on enamel over hand-executed guilloché work

Italian Scenes 'Cinque Terre'

Set of three Calatrava wristwatches with dials in cloisonné enamel enriched with miniature painting on enamel over hand-executed guilloché work

Italian Scenes 'Tuscany'

Set of three Calatrava wristwatches with dials in cloisonné enamel enriched with miniature painting on enamel over hand-executed guilloché work

Tropical Plants 'Strelitzias'

Set of two Calatrava wristwatches with dials in cloisonné enamel

Tropical Plants 'Heliconias'

Set of two Calatrava wristwatches with dials in cloisonné enamel

Pictures in Relief 'Birds and Clouds'

Set of three Calatrava wristwatches, dials decorated with hand-executed guilloché work and gold applied ornaments

Bhutan Textiles

Set of two Calatrava wristwatches with cloisonné enamel dials enriched with gold powder

Bhutan Textiles

Set of two Calatrava wristwatches with cloisonné enamel dials enriched with gold powder

Swiss Alps 'Roped Alpinists'

Set of two Calatrava wristwatches with dials in wood marquetry

Swiss Alps 'Lac d’Emosson'

Set of two Calatrava wristwatches with dials in wood marquetry

Goldfinch

Calatrava wristwatch with dial in wood marquetry

Leopard at Sunset

Calatrava wristwatch with dial in wood marquetry

Italian Scenes 'Tuscany'

Set of three Calatrava wristwatches with dials in cloisonné enamel enriched with miniature painting on enamel over hand-executed guilloché work

Italian Scenes 'Cinque Terre'

Set of three Calatrava wristwatches with dials in cloisonné enamel enriched with miniature painting on enamel over hand-executed guilloché work

Italian Scenes 'Ponte Vecchio'

Set of three Calatrava wristwatches with dials in cloisonné enamel enriched with miniature painting on enamel over hand-executed guilloché work

Chart of the Caribbean

Calatrava wristwatch with cloisonné enamel dial

Tropical Fish

Set of two Calatrava wristwatches with cloisonné enamel dials

Tropical Fish

Set of two Calatrava wristwatches with cloisonné enamel dials