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PATEK PHILIPPE HOLDS AN EXCLUSIVE EVENT IN BANGKOK, THAILAND AS PART OF A SERIES AROUND THE WORLD TO JOURNEY THROUGH THE HISTORY OF WORLD TIME AND TRAVEL TIME WATCHES

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Media insiders, clients and watchmaking enthusiasts were invited to come and explore the rich world of Patek Philippe watches with multiple time zones. In step with the reopening of international boarders to global travel, the last independent, family-owned Genevan Manufacturer marked the corner turned with an event celebrating iconic historical references of Siamese travel, enhanced by a wide range of multimedia tools, accompanying and enhancing the voyage of discovery.

Offering the broadest range of complicated watches in regular production, Patek Philippe is the specialist of the art of watchmaking. In particular, the Manufacture has developed two complications that are useful for travellers and those engaged in global commerce and communications; the World Time which displays 24 time zones simultaneously by means of two rotating disks; and the Travel Time system, which indicates a second time zone using an additional pusher-adjustable central hour hand.

Presented for the first time in Thailand; a country known foremost for its warm hospitality, as well as its central position in the Southeast Asian archipelago, making the Kingdom an international meeting place of food and culture. Between 18 to 21 January 2022, over 500 guests gathered in small groups at the Four Seasons Hotel in the capital, Bangkok, along the beloved Chao Phraya River to embark on “LE VOYAGE”, exploring the entirety of the current collection, and more, of watches with World Time and Travel Time functions from Patek Philippe.

The world of Patek Philippe travel watches with “LE VOYAGE”

Upon arrival to the event hall, guests were transported to a classic, romantic scene of travel embarkation through the Kingdom. Marked by the map of old Siam, which also served as one of several captivating backdrops for photographs, guests flitted through the luxurious welcome lounge of decorative waiting platforms and bar, into where they would begin their train journey; the former of two journeys through time.

The first of seven exhibition suits highlighted the Manufacture’s close step with the history of established time zones and the developments of various modes of travel, celebrated by the enactment of the Central Railway Station of Bangkok and artful recreation of train car and cabin. Accompanied by four historical timepieces from the Patek Philippe Museum; Ref. 1415 HU World Time Wristwatch (1948), Ref. 2523/1 HU World Time Wristwatch (1966), Ref. 2597 Two Time Zone Wristwatch (1961-1962) and Ref. 605 HU World Time Dress Watch, which was a pre-production model (1936-1937).

Integrating multimedia tools in the understanding of Haute Horlogerie

In the Movement suite, the Geneva-based Manufacture combined videos vividly illustrating six movements; World Time; Caliber 240 HU and Caliber CH 28 520 HU, and Travel Time; Caliber 324 S C FUS, Caliber CH 28-520 C FUS, Caliber AL 30-660 S C FUS and Caliber E23-250 S FUS 24H on totem displays. These totem displays gave guests the opportunity to closely inspect the movements of the watches before they were enlightened with a more intimate presentation from the Patek Philippe watchmaker on the Caliber 240 HU and Caliber 324 S C FUS.

Greeting guests next were the Digital Animated Movement and Creativity suites. The former presented the functions and components of the World Time Movement Caliber 240HU and Time Travel Movement Caliber 324 S C FUS on dynamic and interactive multimedia screens, which allowed guests to zoom into, enlarge and engage closely. Encompassing a display case with a built-in screen, the Creativity suite highlighted the aesthetic marvels of Patek Philippe travel watches, from case design to exclusive hand shapes and dial decoration. These include the illustrious World Time models with cloisonné enamel atlas and hand-guilloché centres, embodying two of the fine craftsmanship skills that the Manufacture strives to preserve from generation to generation.

In one of the final exhibition suites is the Advanced Research display. Here, through an interactive video, which incorporated a comprehensive display of flexible component and magnified flexible components, the technical marvels of the Advanced Research and Ref. 5650G-001 Aquanaut Travel Time (2017) were on show. Occupying the luxurious space is the Current Collection suite, putting on display the entire current collection of the models with World Time and Travel Time functions for both men and women – including the Ref. 5520P Alarm Travel Time and new Ref. 5930P World Time Chronograph and Ref. 5269/200R Aquanaut Luce Travel Time, aside the scenes of Wat Arun (also known as the Temple of Dawn) and the grand timeline of Patek Philippe travel watches since 1937.

Wrapping up the train segment of the “LE VOYAGE” journey, an intimate postcard room showcased a film on largely unpublished archive images, illustrating the travels from the 1930s to the present day undertaken by the Stern family – owners of the Manufacture – in order to meet retailers and brand aficionados as well as to find new sources of inspiration. Guests inspirited by these imageries of travel could create images on a specially created Augmented Reality (AR) Instagram filter inspired by vintage travel postcards and stamps, as well as pen notes to loved ones on postcards featuring emblematic Patek Philippe locations around the world.

Cultivating knowledge and passion in the discovery of Patek Philippe

The culmination of “LE VOYAGE” was the Dining Salon, most appropriately themed “Beyond Siamese Horizons” and the transition to the cruise journey of the event. In the salon, guests were transported into the great hall of a luxurious cruise ship, where with the adornment of special lightings, effects, décor elements and breath-taking views of the Chao Phraya River, an imaginary cruise expedition from Thailand to Europe began. Onboard and enveloped by the immense grandeur of royal barges suspended from the ceiling, guests could discover other Patek Philippe collections; including the Twenty~4 Collection, Calatrava Collection, Chronograph Collection, Annual Calendar Collection and not least of all, the Perpetual Calendar Collection.

Lubricating conversations of passions with kindred spirits was the menu presented by Four Seasons and champion of authenticity and ancient Thai recipes; 1-Michelin Star Restaurant, Saneh Jaan and the talents of local vocalists.

Through the arrival hall where a baggage conveyor belt delivered a small gift and the ‘Travel Watch Book” on the history of travel watches’, guests disembarked from “LE VOYAGE”, stepping off the enchanting rail and sea voyage back to present-day Bangkok. By organising exclusive events such as “LE VOYAGE” in Thailand, Singapore and throughout the world, Patek Philippe continues to enhance awareness and appreciation of the technical and aesthetic refinements relating to Haute Horlogerie.