CELEBRATORY CHIMES
With this limited series of just 30 pieces, the Geneva manufacture pays a heartfelt tribute to global icon Philippe Stern as he celebrates his 85th birthday.
The Stern family has been running Patek Philippe with great panache since 1932. Down through the decades, Philippe Stern’s savvy entrepreneurial vision led the brand to the forefront of the watchmaking industry. His son Thierry, current President, follows in his father’s footsteps and pays tribute to him as the end of the year comes around with a limited-edition watch infused with the firm’s unrivaled spirit. The Minute Repeater Alarm Ref. 1938P-001 embraces the philosophy of this manufacture driven by excellence. Its black Grand Feu enamel dial stands out with a miniature painting representing a portrait of Philippe Stern. Traditional Breguet-type hands hover over this handcrafted scenescape. This elegant composition is complemented by a small seconds set at 6 o’clock. All these elements are hosted in an elegant 41 mm-diameter, 14.2 mm-thick case.
A discreet aperture at 3 o’clock provides details of the current musical choice. In other words, thanks to the new R AL 27 PS caliber, the fortunate owner of this timepiece can find out what time it is through the minute repeater complication or by setting an alarm. The selfwinding movement (43 to 48 hours of power reserve) is equipped with a yellow gold off-centered mini-rotor, engraved with Philippe Stern’s signature. To admire this mechanism, you just need to open the hinged dust-cover of the sapphire-crystal caseback. The inside of this cover is decorated with the inscription “A mon père, 85 ans de passion horlogère” (To my father, 85 years of watchmaking passion). A birthday wouldn’t be a birthday without surprises!
