After Singapore, Cortina Watch is presenting an exhibition of Patek Philippe's dome table clocks in Bangkok at its boutique in Central Embassy.
Until Sunday, the travelling exhibition titled "Once Upon A Virtuosity" marks the 50th anniversary of Cortina Watch, which is also celebrated with a series of golden jubilee editions including those by Patek Philippe.
The four dome table clocks are unique creations from the Rare Handcrafts collection. Three of them relate to Singapore, where the retailer started in 1972 with a single store in Colombo Court. Today it has grown into a multi-national company spanning East and Southeast Asia, and more recently Australia.
Its golden jubilee is commemorated by the Singapore Skyline (Ref 20145M-001) in Grand Feu cloisonné enamel, depicting the urban landscape in 50 enamel colours. Count the stars on the dome, there are also 50 that twinkle along with fireworks cascading in gold and silver dust.
The cloisonné enamel technique uses fine gold wire, shaped by hand, to create outlines of each segment of the landscape, which is then filled with enamel. The contours of the Singapore skyline and landmarks required 9.2m of 24K gold wire.
The 50th anniversary of Singapore's independence in 2015 was marked by The Esplanade-Singapore (Ref 1677M) dome table clock hand-guilloched under cloisonné enamel.
Inclusions of silver leaf beneath the translucent enamel conjure up the glow of fireworks, the glitter of the cityscape and the sparkle of light on water. The geometric pattern is inspired by the shell of the Esplanade – Theatres On The Bay.
Instead of fireworks, flowers adorn the Bay Of Singapore (Ref 20094M-001), which also portrays the cityscape at night. Showcasing the grisaille enamelling technique, this one-of-a kind piece was presented at the Watch Art Grand Exhibition staged by Patek Philippe in 2019 at Sands Theatre in Marina Bay Sands.
The fourth dome table clock Twilight Taipei (Ref 20040M-001) in cloisonné enamel recalls the opening of the first Patek Philippe boutique, managed by Cortina Watch, in the city at its tallest skyscraper, Taipei 101.
In addition, the exhibition displays the new white gold Calatrava Ref 5057G-010 created for Cortina Watch's golden jubilee as well as the rose gold Ref 5057R-001 for the silver jubilee in 1997.
The commemorative models feature a triple row guilloched Clous de Paris hobnail bezel, a moon phase and analogue date display as well as power reserve and small seconds indications.
The sunburst dial of the 50th anniversary edition differs in charcoal grey with a black-gradient rim.
Providing a power reserve of 48 hours, the ultra-thin, self-winding movement can be viewed through the sapphire crystal caseback, which bears the inscription "Cortina Watch 50th Anniversary Since 1972".
