Geneva: a 'big jet' of life
When John Vergotti, General Manager of Patek Philippe for Spain and Portugal, invited me to visit the Brand's manufactures, I did not hesitate. For years I have also wanted to know firsthand how these wonderful watches are made. the quintessence of luxury well understood , which, as advertised, passes from parents to children physically and symbolically in a gesture of love, culture and elegance.
In Geneva the sun is a prize, and we had it at times, which allowed us to move freely through the streets of the old city, cobbled and full of designer shops, signature restaurants and people on bicycles. On one of them, rue du Rhône, the amber lights of the Patek Philippe boutique shine, and he beginning of a two-story dream made up of art deco rooms overlooking the river , original furniture, authentic Venetian blacks, 18th-century seascapes on the walls and, of course, the best of the brand: collection by collection, novelties included.
The pleasure of things well done
To say that the Patek Philippe store in Geneva is exceptional is an understatement: you walk into a galaxy where the good taste of the vendors runs parallel to the entity of the pieces they sell , inside a building listed as a historical monument. At this moment there are several young ladies trying on watches. This very morning we had seen one of the two factories, these laboratories where each craftsman feels proud of his work, where finely crafted watches and jewelry they are delicately assembled and crimped. The purest materials prevail there and, most importantly and interestingly: a personalized process that allows each jewel - for example - to be unique, and each watch to have the Patek seal with all its watchmaking complications.
As Mr. Philippe Stern, honorary president of the company, summarizes, centralization is one of the conditions that allow maintain leadership and perpetuate the authentic watchmaking art of Switzerland . The great factory is a building of modern architecture, which opens before us with a sculpture that defies space and a facade of pink granite brought expressly from Salvador de Bahia. Inside, state-of-the-art technology and artisan hands move in perfect order.
The Patek Philippe Manufactory
We go through different component and mechanism manufacturing workshops. In the second factory, on the other hand, the entire building is dedicated to the workshops for the production of boxes, bracelets, jewelery and settings. Here the eyes go to the meticulous work of the artisans who, one by one, place diamonds and precious stones in boxes and settings that will end up on the wrists, ears or necks of very lucky women and men.
The watchmaking craftsmen
Leaving the factory, a large mural gives me back a very artistic reproduction of the Caliber 89 that occupies 20 meters from floor to ceiling . I would be lying if I said that I remember each model, each process, each one of the processes that I have seen on my visits. But yes, the feeling that I was in a unique place, with people who have been involved in a very special job for years , of so much detail, sophistication, science and accuracy almost impossible, however true.
The interior of the store in Geneva
Now I better understand the master watchmakers, their unwavering passion. Here people work a lifetime without losing their will. One of the highlights of our visit to Geneva, in addition to sleeping at the Mandarin Oriental and verifying that it is perfectly located and that its bar is a meeting place for business people and beautiful people from Geneva, was the wonderful Patek Philippe Museum, floors and rooms where they really concentrate the most beautiful pieces of watchmaking and goldsmithing in the world.
Mandarin Oriental, perfectly located
The building that houses the Patek Philippe Museum was built in 1920 and the history of vintage jewelers and watchmakers who passed through there was woven into its walls. Since 1975 it belongs to the Stern family, who bought it, determined to show the world its two watch collections, brought together over 30 exciting years . One of them is entirely from Patek Philippe watches. The other, historical watches and jewelry.
The Patek Philippe Museum, a story of love and watchmaking passion
Philippe Stern's wife, Gerdi, assisted by the architect Massimo Bianco, restored the building and designed the Museum. The interior decoration is by Jackie Nyffeler, who has defined it as "a historic building, halls that combine wood and glass, original stairs and a feeling of entering a beautiful private house, cozy, intimate, in which suddenly you find the most beautiful watches and jewelery in the world".
The most beautiful watches in the world
The Museum (rue des Vieux-Grenadiers, 7) has pieces of great historical value. Going through its rooms, you can undoubtedly follow the vital itinerary of kings, princes, great businessmen, ladies of the European courts, money aristocracies through its watches and jewels. The big brands are here, and time proves them right: beauty is an exact and eternal art.
Really, it was a great trip because it contains some of the components that create happiness: beauty, serenity, elegance and also surprise.
John Vergotti, CEO of Patek Philippe
Patek Philippe's legendary Calatrava model