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On October 2, with 15 exhibition rooms showcasing more than 500 timepieces and artifacts across a 2,900-square-meter venue in Milan, Patek Philippe is ready for its largest-ever Watch Art Grand Exhibition.
On October 2, with 15 exhibition rooms showcasing more than 500 timepieces and artifacts across a 2,900-square-meter venue in Milan, Patek Philippe is ready for its largest-ever Watch Art Grand Exhibition.
August 22, 2026
For Patek Philippe, the Watch Art Grand Exhibition is not merely a showcase of horological masterpieces, but a space to honor enduring values such as heritage, tradition, craftsmanship and innovation. Launched in Dubai in 2012 and having traveled through major cities across Asia, Europe and North America, the exhibition is set to open in Milan on October 2nd on an unprecedented scale, featuring 15 themed areas. A corner of this beautiful Italian city will be graced by the presence of over 500 timepieces and objects, including some of the most iconic creations in the history of Patek Philippe.
The centerpiece of the Watch Art Grand Exhibition will be 27 pieces belonging to the Rare Handcrafts collection - from dome clocks to pocket watches and wristwatches - exquisitely crafted using techniques such as enameling, engraving, and gemsetting. A standout among them is the Burano pocket watch - a product named after the Venetian island of Burano. The piece is distinguished by a case back finished with cloisonné enameling in 70 colors, guilloché patterns demonstrating waves and paillonné enameling incorporating gold and silver leaf to capture reflections on the water.
Another eye-catching piece from the Rare Handcrafts collection is the "Sicilian Oranges" dome clock. More than just a timepiece, it is an artwork depicting orange trees against a miniature painting of the city of Palermo through a rich palette of 49 enamel colors - from transparent and pearlescent to opaque. Under the artisan’s skilled hands, "Sicilian Oranges" underwent more than 10 separate firings at temperatures ranging from 900 to 910°C to achieve the exquisite form seen at the Watch Art Grand Exhibition.
Furthermore, the exhibition will dedicate a space to ultra-complicated timepieces, thereby highlighting Patek Philippe’s exquisite, world-class watchmaking artistry. On display here will be two watches associated with significant milestones of the maison: the 33-complication Caliber 89 launched to celebrate the brand’s 150th anniversary and the 20-complication Grandmaster Chime Ref. 5175 created to commemorate its 175th anniversary.
Alongside them will be the Star Calibre 2000, a timepiece created to mark humanity's transition into a new millennium. Although introduced later, it upholds the watchmaking legacy of Patek Philippe, featuring 1,118 components and 21 complications. The exhibition becomes even more special and fascinating as 90 objects from the Patek Philippe Museum in Geneva will arrive in Milan, including pieces specially selected for the Italian public.
Although the Watch Art Grand Exhibition is still more than a month away, the success of previous Watch Art exhibitions - combined with details about the products set to be showcased - has certainly stirred up excitement among watch enthusiasts. Milan appears ready to immerse itself in the world of exquisite timepieces.
