GradingJan 14, 2025
GIA CEO, President Susan Jacques to Retire at the End of 2025The grading lab said the search for her successor is underway.
WatchesJul 11, 2017
Patek Philippe’s Grand Exhibition Opens in NY This Week
The event features 10 themed rooms to showcase the brand’s watchmaking, including one displaying notable timepieces from iconic U.S. collectors.
Pictured here is “The Packard,” an astronomical pocket watch from the private collection of James Ward Packard, which will be on display at the upcoming Patek Philippe event, The Art of Watches Grand Exhibition New York.
New York--Centuries of Patek Philippe’s watchmaking history soon will be on display in New York City.
The brand’s The Art of Watches Grand Exhibition New York opens Thursday at Cipriani 42nd Street, offering the public a look into its 178-year history and some of its most important pieces.
For the first time, a two-story structure has been created in the event venue to accommodate its scale. It will feature 10 themed rooms, including a Theater Room, Current Collection Room, Museum Room, U.S. Historic Room, Rare Handcrafts Gallery and Watchmakers Room.
The U.S. Historic Room will have a curated collection of 27 timepieces on loan from various museums--like the Patek Philippe Museum in Geneva and the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum in Boston—as well as from some of the brand’s most renowned private collectors across the country.
Highlights in the room will include 11 timepieces from two of the most iconic Patek Philippe collectors from the early 20th century: Henry Graves Jr. and James Ward Packard. Between the two of them, these titans of industry garnered some of the most complicated and significant timepieces of their era.
Henry Graves Jr. was a New York banker and fine arts enthusiast who commissioned many timepieces from Patek Philippe. This included the “Henry Graves Supercomplication” pocket watch, created in 1933 and featuring 24 complications, which Sotheby’s sold in 2014 for a record-breaking $24 million dollars.
The collection of Graves’ pieces in the U.S Historic Room will showcase six significant watches from the Patek Philippe Museum, including his 1928 open-face, keyless winding pocket watch with minute repeater, Grande Sonnerie, Petite Sonnerie, Perpetual Calendar and Moon Phases.
James Ward Packard, meanwhile, was an automobile magnate from Warren, Ohio. He also commissioned a number of complicated watches from the brand, including the first timepiece featuring a celestial sky chart made by Patek Philippe.
His astronomical pocket watch, “The Packard,” will be among the five watches presented from his personal collection. Commissioned in 1927, it features a minute repeater on three gongs, perpetual calendar, age and phases of the moon, time of sunrise and sunset in Warren, Ohio, running equation of time and sky chart for the latitude of Warren.
The back of the case also opens to reveal a rotating celestial map with more than 500 gold stars, showing the night sky as it would be on any given night over Warren.
Other highlights of
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
the exhibition will be a historic desk clock commissioned by German retailer Heinz Wipperfeld and manufactured by Patek Philippe for President John F. Kennedy (pictured above). The autonomous quartz desk clock was presented to President Kennedy by the mayor of West Berlin, Willy Brandt, during his visit in June 1963, right after his well-known “Ich bin ein Berliner” speech.
The historic desk clock showcases the time in Moscow, Washington, D.C. and Berlin to “signify the establishment of a direct communication line between Washington D.C. and Moscow,” the brand said.
Also prominently featured in the room will be baseball legend Joe DiMaggio’s Patek Philippe Ref. 130J, created in 1948 and one of Patek Philippe’s most sought-after chronograph references, according to the brand.
It’s believed that the owners of the New York Yankees gave the timepiece to DiMaggio. It recently was purchased at auction by a private collector, who loaned it to Patek Philippe for the event.
“The United States has been an extremely important market for Patek Philippe collectors since the 1850s,” said Larry Pettinelli, President of Patek Philippe U.S. “We hope to showcase some of these extraordinary timepieces, as well as putting into context the evolution of Patek Philippe within the U.S. market.”
The Art of Watches Grand Exhibition New York will run from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. every day (with free admission) through July 23.
On Saturday, July 22, Patek Phillipe will hold a family day at the event, featuring specially created balloons and a coloring station. Children will be able to sit side-by-side with a Patek Philippe watchmaker at the bench to be taught about the brand and mechanical timepieces, among other activities.
The historic desk clock showcases the time in Moscow, Washington, D.C. and Berlin to “signify the establishment of a direct communication line between Washington D.C. and Moscow,” the brand said.
Also prominently featured in the room will be baseball legend Joe DiMaggio’s Patek Philippe Ref. 130J, created in 1948 and one of Patek Philippe’s most sought-after chronograph references, according to the brand.
It’s believed that the owners of the New York Yankees gave the timepiece to DiMaggio. It recently was purchased at auction by a private collector, who loaned it to Patek Philippe for the event.
“The United States has been an extremely important market for Patek Philippe collectors since the 1850s,” said Larry Pettinelli, President of Patek Philippe U.S. “We hope to showcase some of these extraordinary timepieces, as well as putting into context the evolution of Patek Philippe within the U.S. market.”
The Art of Watches Grand Exhibition New York will run from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. every day (with free admission) through July 23.
On Saturday, July 22, Patek Phillipe will hold a family day at the event, featuring specially created balloons and a coloring station. Children will be able to sit side-by-side with a Patek Philippe watchmaker at the bench to be taught about the brand and mechanical timepieces, among other activities.
More on Watches
The Latest
ColumnistsJan 14, 2025
Jules Kim: Building Bridges Between Creators and IndustryIn this special op-ed, designer Jules Kim calls on big brands to collaborate with independent creators instead of copying their designs.
Policies & IssuesJan 14, 2025
These Designers and Retailers Are Raising Money for LA Wildfire Relief Several jewelry designers are lending a helping hand to charities in Los Angeles amid the raging wildfires.
Brought to you by
3 New Year’s Resolutions for Jewelry Lovers The new year feels like a clean slate, inspiring reflection, hope, and the motivation to become better versions of ourselves.
GradingJan 14, 2025
Former SSEF Director Henry A. Hänni DiesA pioneering figure in gemology, he is remembered for his spirit of generosity, curiosity, and joy.
Weekly QuizJan 09, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
FinancialsJan 14, 2025
Signet Jewelers Lowers Q4 Guidance After Holiday Sales Fall ShortThe peak selling days leading up to Christmas did not meet the jewelry retailer’s expectations.
MajorsJan 14, 2025
Edouard Schneider Joins Messika as Chief Brand OfficerSchneider brings over 20 years of luxury and fashion industry experience to his role as a key member of the brand’s global leadership team.
Brought to you by
A Diamond Is Forever Celebrates "Forever Present" Holiday CampaignA Diamond is Forever hosted a holiday celebration in honor of their new marketing campaign, ‘Forever Present.’
SourcingJan 13, 2025
Zambia Reinstates 15% Export Duty on Precious Gemstones, Shocking GemfieldsGemfields said the Zambian government revoked the 2019 suspension of the tax with no warning.
TechnologyJan 13, 2025
Ultrahuman Unveils Luxury Smart RingWith versions in 18-karat gold and platinum, the wearables company is blending health technology and fine jewelry.
Policies & IssuesJan 13, 2025
Brandee Dallow Elected President of Ethical MetalsmithsThe executive brings more than two decades of industry experience to the role.
IndependentsJan 13, 2025
The Seven Pops Up in Palm BeachThe New York City-based retailer is bringing its curation of jewels to a pop-up shop at Love Binetti in Palm Beach, Florida.
Policies & IssuesJan 10, 2025
Jewelers Relief Fund Reopened to Aid Victims of LA Fires Created by JA and DCA, the fund is collecting money for jewelry businesses damaged by the wildfires in Los Angeles County.
TrendsJan 10, 2025
Piece of the Week: Elsa Jin’s ‘Mozi’ BroochAdrien Brody received his first Golden Globe while wearing the “Mozi” brooch, which depicts a spill of traditional Chinese calligraphy ink.
SourcingJan 10, 2025
De Beers, GJEPC Partner to Promote Natural DiamondsThe pair will work together to support independent retailers in India with marketing assets, training materials, and other tools.
CrimeJan 09, 2025
US Customs Seizes Counterfeit Tiffany & Co. JewelsOfficers in Champlain, New York valued the jewels, if genuine, at nearly $30,000.
CollectionsJan 09, 2025
Karma El Khalil’s New Collection is an Ode to the MoonThe “Moonlight Rhapsody” collection is overflowing with gemstones, from raw opal to morganite and spessartite.
Events & AwardsJan 09, 2025
Here Is the 2025 AGTA GemFair Tucson Educational LineupThe seminar series covers topics from market trends and colored stone terminology to working with museums and growing an Instagram profile.
SourcingJan 09, 2025
Reena Ahluwalia Unveils New Works in ‘Diamond Trails’ AnthologyThe artist collaborated with industry creatives on the project, which features five fictional stories and five corresponding paintings.
IndependentsJan 09, 2025
Virginia Jewelers Raise Nearly $26K for Children’s Hospital at Charity BallNine jewelers donated jewels for a raffle to support the Children’s Hospital Foundation at Virginia Commonwealth University.
Lab-GrownJan 08, 2025
Effy Introduces Brand Dedicated to Lab-Grown Diamonds“Promise by Effy” includes fashion jewelry and engagement rings.
IndependentsJan 08, 2025
Haltom’s Jewelers to Close After 130 YearsThe Texas-based jeweler is closing all three locations.
TrendsJan 08, 2025
Zendaya’s Engagement Ring Combines Vintage and Modern ElementsZendaya’s ring, featuring an east-west set elongated cushion-cut diamond, is said to be from British designer Jessica McCormack.
ColumnistsJan 07, 2025
The Smart Lab: The Hottest Digital Marketing Trends For 2025Micro-influencers, customer reviews, and shoppable videos are going to be key to getting customers’ attention, Emmanuel Raheb writes.
TrendsJan 07, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: January Is for GarnetGarnet is comprised of a group of minerals, giving those with a birthday in January options when it comes to their birthstone.
IndependentsJan 07, 2025
Edge Retail Academy Names 2024 ‘Wag’ Award Winner The annual award, created in memory of business coach William “Wag” Wagner, went to a retailer in Fairfax, Virginia.
MajorsJan 07, 2025
Jewelers for Children Promotes Round-Up Fundraising ProgramRetailers and vendors can ask customers to make a donation by rounding up to the next dollar at checkout.
