Elite Traveler January-February 2015

DISCOVER

elite traveler JAN/FEB 2015 ISSUE 1 40

Patek’s World Time watches were first introduced in the 1930s

Watches

HOW LEGENDARY BRAND PATEK PHILIPPE HIT THE BIG TIME Complicated love

Patek Philippe’s 175th anniversary is a significant milestone, even for the Swiss watchmaking industry. Founded in 1839, it remains the quintessential haute horology brand, its signature designs highly coveted by collectors. Last November it broke its own auction record for the world’s most expensive watch, when the Henry Graves Supercomplication sold for $24m at Sotheby’s. Patek’s president, Thierry Stern, attributes this success in part to its independence. Being one of the few remaining family owned manufacturers, he says, allows it to continually push new limits when it comes to innovation. To mark its anniversary, Patek has introduced nine commemorative, limited-edition timepieces referencing historic models. While the flagship is the Grandmaster Chime, with 20 complications, gold accents and hand- guilloched center, the white gold World Time Moon represents the course of this unique company’s history. TheWorld Time watches were introduced in the 1930s. This design features a newmovement driving a large-format moon display, and an hour hand for a second time zone. $2.57m, patekphilippe.com

Writer: Henry Farrar-Hockley

Patek Philippe’s newWorld Time Moon is a fitting tribute to 175 years of watchmaking