Patek Philippe in Tokyo: Celebration of Novelties

Last week we saw the Patek Philippe Watch Art Exhibition in Tokyo, the sixth and largest such exhibition put on by the brand and the first to take place in Japan.

Holding the event in Tokyo highlights the significance of Japan as a key market for Patek Philippe and the exhibition was a rare opportunity for watch enthusiasts to experience up close the brand’s heritage and expertise through interactive displays, and live demonstrations of watchmaking techniques.

The design of the exhibition, held at the Shinjuku Sumitomo building, involved the creation of themed rooms across 2,500 meters to celebrate different elements of the brand including Rare Handcrafts, their Museum, the Manufacture, Watchmaking, the Current Collection and their chiming in a Master of Sound room.

©Patek Philippe

In addition to having the entire current collection on display, the exhibition also features pieces on loan from Japanese collectors and several highly important watches on loan from the brand. The highlight of the Art Exhibition, however, is the announcement of six new watches created in honor of the exhibition, and we will take a look at the most compelling references here.

©Patek Philippe

One of the most compelling new references, the 300-piece World Time 5330G-010 Limited Edition Tokyo 2023, with its “plum” dial continues the tradition of Swiss brands creating blue and purple dial references as special editions for the Japanese market. While its dial color is a nod to tradition, this reference features a world’s first in terms of complications: a date function that self-corrects when the time is adjusted across the international date line.

©Patek Philippe

Another compelling new launch was the Quadruple Complication reference 5308P-010, a new generation from the reference 5208 with the addition of a split-seconds chronograph in addition to a minute repeater and perpetual calendar in apertures on a “rose-gilt opaline” dial. This reference is now one of the most complicated watches in the current line-up, and while it is a classically designed watch, its modern 42mm x 17.7mm dimensions in platinum will nonetheless have significant wrist presence for the 15 lucky owners.

©Patek Philippe

Patek Philippe didn’t forget to showcase their expertise in handcraft, either, with the launch of the World Time Minute Repeater reference 5531R-014 Limited Edition Tokyo 2023. This reference is similar in spirit to other world timers, however it features the addition of a minute repeater and a dial of handmade Grand Feu cloisonné enamel, depicting a map of central Tokyo. Like the 5308P-010, this attractive reference is produced in just 15 pieces and will surely be difficult to see in the wild, another reason the Watch Art Exhibition series is a great chance for collectors to see these rare references up close.

©Patek Philippe

The Tokyo exhibition showcased the brand’s heritage, craftsmanship, and innovation both in the past and present with the collection showcases, interactive displays, and live demonstrations of watchmaking techniques while taking a look at the future of watchmaking with the launch of the Tokyo special editions.

If you are interested to be part of the heritage of Patek Philippe with your own classic or modern timepiece, Vintage Grail’s team of watch advisors are ready to assist you in finding the perfect one for you. Contact our team today to book a viewing of our Patek Philippe collection in stock and learn more about our rare-watch sourcing services.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions contained in this article belong solely to the individual author and do not reflect the views and opinions of the company. We are not affiliated, associated, authorized, endorsed by, or in any way officially connected with any of the brands mentioned, or any of its subsidiaries or its affiliates.