CrimeApr 28, 2025
Customs Seizes Nearly 2,000 Pieces of Counterfeit Van Cleef & Arpels JewelryU.S. customs agents in El Paso, Texas, intercepted the package, which would have been worth $9 million if the jewelry was genuine.
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
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
TrendsApr 28, 2025
Suzanne Kalan Launches Tech Ring Jacket CollectionHealth monitors become statement pieces when paired with the brand’s new collection of stackable diamond-studded bands.
Events & AwardsApr 28, 2025
JCK Industry Fund Announces 2025 Grant RecipientsTen organizations were selected this year.
Brought to you by
Watch: The Winston Red: GIA Examines the Smithsonian’s Newest AdditionSupplier Spotlight Sponsored by GIA
IndependentsApr 28, 2025
John Atencio Appoints 2 to Wholesale TeamKim Carpenter and Sam Gevisenheit have joined the brand.
Weekly QuizApr 24, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsApr 25, 2025
Sylvie Looks to Water in New Sculptural Bridal Collection“Shell Auranova” is the next generation of the brand’s bridal line, featuring half-bezel engagement rings with bold and fluid designs.
FinancialsApr 25, 2025
Kering’s Jewelry Brands Persevere as Q1 Sales Sink 14%Boucheron and Pomellato performed well in an otherwise bleak quarter for Kering amid struggles at Gucci.
Brought to you by
Emerging Jewelers Accelerator Program Announces Second Cohort of Aspiring Jewelry Entrepreneurs Six new retail businesses were selected for the 2025 program, which began in January.
EditorsApr 25, 2025
Piece of the Week: Deborah Meyers Experience’s ‘The Birds’ EarringsDesigner Deborah Meyers created her birds from oxidized sterling silver, rose-cut diamond eyes, and Akoya Keshi pearl feathers.
SourcingApr 25, 2025
De Beers Sales, Production Fall in Q1 Amid UncertaintyThe company said it expects sightholders to remain “cautious” with their purchasing due to all the unknowns around the U.S. tariffs.
Supplier BulletinApr 24, 2025
Protect Your Customers and Your BusinessSponsored by the Gemological Institute of America
EditorsApr 24, 2025
Q&A: Wolf’s CEO Talks U.S. ExpansionSimon Wolf shares why the time was right to open a new office here, what he looks for in a retail partner, and why he loves U.S. consumers.
IndependentsApr 24, 2025
Longtime Iowa Jeweler Herman Ginsberg Dies at 99 A third-generation jeweler, Ginsberg worked at his family’s store, Ginsberg Jewelers, from 1948 until his retirement in 2019.
FinancialsApr 24, 2025
Charles & Colvard Delisted From Nasdaq Due to NoncomplianceThe company failed to file its quarterly reports in a timely manner.
SourcingApr 24, 2025
Young Diamantaires Transition to NonprofitThe organization also announced its board of directors.
TrendsApr 24, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: So CharmingCharms may be tiny but with their small size comes endless layering possibilities, from bracelets to necklaces and earrings.
MajorsApr 23, 2025
Bulgari Doubles Size of Jewelry Factory in ItalyLocated in Valenza, the now 355,000-square-foot facility includes a new jewelry school that’s open to the public, Scuola Bulgari.
Events & AwardsApr 23, 2025
PDPaola Creative Director Wins FGI’s ‘Rising Star’ AwardPaola Sasplugas, co-founder of the Barcelona-based jewelry brand, received the Fine Jewelry Award.
AuctionsApr 23, 2025
Rare Custom Rolex Daytona Heads to AuctionA platinum Zenith-powered Daytona commissioned in the late ‘90s will headline Sotheby’s Important Watches sale in Geneva next month.
MajorsApr 23, 2025
David Yurman’s New Campaign Stars Carmelo Anthony, Jaylen BrownThe basketball stars wear men’s jewelry from the “Curb Chain” collection.
MajorsApr 22, 2025
Zales’ Rebrand Takes Playful Approach to Fine JewelryThe Signet Jewelers-owned retailer wants to encourage younger shoppers to wear fine jewelry every day, not just on special occasions.
AuctionsApr 22, 2025
Christie’s to Auction JAR Jewelry CollectionThe 21 pieces, all from a private collector, will be offered at its Magnificent Jewels auction next month.
ColumnistsApr 22, 2025
The PR Adviser: Building Buzz Through Word of MouthLilian Raji answers a question from a reader who is looking to grow her jewelry business but has a limited marketing budget.
GradingApr 22, 2025
Avi Levy Is GCAL By Sarine’s New Chief Growth OfficerGCAL by Sarine created the new role to sharpen the company’s focus on strategic partnerships and scalable expansion.
IndependentsApr 22, 2025
Brinker’s Jewelers Acquires Fellow IndependentThe Indiana jeweler has acquired Scottsdale Fine Jewelers in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Events & AwardsApr 21, 2025
An Exhibition Exploring the History of Cartier Is Now on Display“Cartier: Design, Craft, and Legacy” opened earlier this month at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.
IndependentsApr 21, 2025
New York Jeweler to Close After 111 YearsVan Cott Jewelers in Vestal, New York, is hosting a going-out-of-business sale.
