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Lot Essay
Patek Philippe’s Calatrava Ref. 5177G-018 is an ultra-exclusive, limited-edition timepiece from the 2023 Rare Handicrafts Collection. The magnificent artisanal Grand Feu enamel dial depicts "Chinese Rice Fields". Handcrafted using a mixture of cloisonné enamel and hand-guilloché (flinqué) techniques to create an intricate aerial landscape representation of the terraced landscape of Chinese rice fields. The result is a work of art that is abstract in appearance and incredibly beautiful.
Only released in 2023 in an extremely small production run, these watches remain locked away in the private collections of Patek Philippe's most trusted and loyal clients. To the best of our knowledge, the present watch is the first of its kind to be offered at international auction. In excellent condition, it is sold with the full set of accessories.
The rarity behind this timepiece is its stunning handmade enamel dial, combining the techniques of Grand Feu cloisonnè and flinqué enamelling. First, the gold dial was adorned with delicate hand-guilloched patterns. The enameller then traced the outlines of the composition, using from 48 to 62 cm of gold wire measuring 0.1 x 0.4 mm in cross-section, before bringing it to life with opaque, transparent and opalescent enamels. In areas such as the water and the fields, the guilloched decoration shines through the colour, a style of enamelling known as flinqué. Each dial required between 10 and 22 firings at temperatures ranging from 800C° to 820°C. It would take one of Patek Philippe’s master enamellists approximately 7 days of work to create such an individual works of art.
Housed in a white-gold case, the caliber 240 ultra-thin self-winding movement may be admired through the sapphire-crystal back. The bezel is adorned with Patek Philippe’s emblematic hand-guilloché hobnail pattern.
A superb trophy for the collector of Patek Phillipe’s Rare Handicrafts editions, the present watch provides the first opportunity since the model’s release to obtain one of these unobtainable masterpieces with the “Chinese Rice Fields” enamel dial.
Only released in 2023 in an extremely small production run, these watches remain locked away in the private collections of Patek Philippe's most trusted and loyal clients. To the best of our knowledge, the present watch is the first of its kind to be offered at international auction. In excellent condition, it is sold with the full set of accessories.
The rarity behind this timepiece is its stunning handmade enamel dial, combining the techniques of Grand Feu cloisonnè and flinqué enamelling. First, the gold dial was adorned with delicate hand-guilloched patterns. The enameller then traced the outlines of the composition, using from 48 to 62 cm of gold wire measuring 0.1 x 0.4 mm in cross-section, before bringing it to life with opaque, transparent and opalescent enamels. In areas such as the water and the fields, the guilloched decoration shines through the colour, a style of enamelling known as flinqué. Each dial required between 10 and 22 firings at temperatures ranging from 800C° to 820°C. It would take one of Patek Philippe’s master enamellists approximately 7 days of work to create such an individual works of art.
Housed in a white-gold case, the caliber 240 ultra-thin self-winding movement may be admired through the sapphire-crystal back. The bezel is adorned with Patek Philippe’s emblematic hand-guilloché hobnail pattern.
A superb trophy for the collector of Patek Phillipe’s Rare Handicrafts editions, the present watch provides the first opportunity since the model’s release to obtain one of these unobtainable masterpieces with the “Chinese Rice Fields” enamel dial.