2014: The 175th anniversary
In 2014, Patek Philippe celebrated its 175th anniversary. The Genevan company ranks among the oldest Swiss watchmaking manufactures that have been in business without interruption. For the Stern family, which has owned the company since 1932, it was a welcome occasion to dedicate festivities to this proud event all year long.
On August 9, 2014, over 500,000 spectators watched a magnificent fireworks display entitled “Man and Time”, a gift by Patek Philippe to its native city within the scope of the Fêtes de Genève.
The official celebration took place from October 13 to 20, 2014, in the manufacture at Plan-les-Ouates, which was temporarily enlarged with elaborate building extensions. The plaza and the atrium were transformed into festival spaces with a stage, façade-height video projections, and a spacious reception area.
During six consecutive evening events, honorary president Philippe Stern and manufacture president Thierry Stern welcomed 3600 guests, among them media representatives, friends of the company, customers, and partners from all over the world. An impressive “Mapping Show” celebrated Patek Philippe’s grand milestones and creations, accompanied by music, choreography performances, and culinary delights
The festivities were continued with an excursion to the commemorative watches that were presented by their creators. Thanks to a fantastic 3D animation show, guests had the opportunity to plunge into the depths of the movement of the Grandmaster Chime wristwatch.
In the venerable Château Blanc on the manufacture’s premises, the attendees also had a chance to admire the exclusive collection of Rare Handcrafts creations that had been made explicitly for the 175th anniversary. Together with 60 additional commemorative watches, it was an exhibition also hosted by the Patek Philippe Museum until April 2015.
