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Lot Essay
The present ref. 5077 is from Patek Philippe's “Rare Handcrafts Collection” and is one of the four examples of this model decorated with different depictions of the American Eagle.
Highly attractive, the cloisonné enamel dial of the wristwatch required from 12 to 15 firings, using 25 to 30 different enamel colours and a gold wire of 0.05 mm. for making the partitions. Demanding the highest skill level and savoir faire for a finishing of the highest quality, the dial is signed by none other than Anita Porchet, who required approximately 7 days of work prior to its finishing.
The American Eagle dial was created specifically for the American market; the Bald Eagle is the national bird of the United States, prominently featured on official documents and the US$ bills and coins.
Born in La Chaux-de-fonds, Anita Porchet learnt the basic of enamel work from Pierre Schneeberger, her godfather, himself an engraver and enameller. Following studies in fine arts, she continued her apprenticeship with the world renowned enameller Suzanne Rohr. Accomplished in all the different enamelling techniques: cloisonne, champleve, plique-à-jour, grisaille, paillonee and miniature painting, Anita Porchet collaborated since the early 1990s with Patek Philippe and played a significant role in reviving enamelling.
Responsible for the creation of many masterpieces including the “Aube sur le lac” pocket watch realised for the 175th anniversary of the manufacture, timepieces with dials bearing her signature are actively sought-after by astute connoisseurs. Of added interest, the signature of the enameller features her family name in full (A. Porchet), instead of the often seen initials A.P.
Highly attractive, the cloisonné enamel dial of the wristwatch required from 12 to 15 firings, using 25 to 30 different enamel colours and a gold wire of 0.05 mm. for making the partitions. Demanding the highest skill level and savoir faire for a finishing of the highest quality, the dial is signed by none other than Anita Porchet, who required approximately 7 days of work prior to its finishing.
The American Eagle dial was created specifically for the American market; the Bald Eagle is the national bird of the United States, prominently featured on official documents and the US$ bills and coins.
Born in La Chaux-de-fonds, Anita Porchet learnt the basic of enamel work from Pierre Schneeberger, her godfather, himself an engraver and enameller. Following studies in fine arts, she continued her apprenticeship with the world renowned enameller Suzanne Rohr. Accomplished in all the different enamelling techniques: cloisonne, champleve, plique-à-jour, grisaille, paillonee and miniature painting, Anita Porchet collaborated since the early 1990s with Patek Philippe and played a significant role in reviving enamelling.
Responsible for the creation of many masterpieces including the “Aube sur le lac” pocket watch realised for the 175th anniversary of the manufacture, timepieces with dials bearing her signature are actively sought-after by astute connoisseurs. Of added interest, the signature of the enameller features her family name in full (A. Porchet), instead of the often seen initials A.P.