Patek Philippe and Cortina Watch Celebrate 50 Years As Retail Partners

[Luxury Timepieces]

This year, Cortina Watch honours the Golden Jubilee of its longest-running partnership with Patek Philippe, the final family-owned watch manufacturer in Geneva, by releasing a limited-edition wristwatch and a one-of-a-kind Dome Table Clock.

Since its inception in 1972, Cortina Watch has acted as a representative for Patek Philippe, one of the most prestigious names in Swiss watchmaking. What started as a professional encounter between the late Mr. Henri Stern and the inventor of Cortina Watch, Mr. Anthony Lim, over 66 years ago, evolved into a long-standing retail alliance that assisted in establishing both brands throughout Southeast and East Asia. Six specialised Patek Philippe stores are currently solely managed by Cortina Watch throughout Asia.

A unique limited-edition watch has been made to mark the 50th anniversary of Cortina Watch’s foundation and the 50 years of the company’s regional cooperation with Patek Philippe. A new version of the Ref. 5057R-001 made by Patek Philippe for Cortina Watch in 1997 to mark the company’s 25th anniversary is the Ref. 5057G-010 which will be released this year and limited to 100 pieces.

Patek Philippe Calatrava Ref. 5057G-010.

Ref. 5057G-010 Calatrava: A New Limited-Edition Wristwatch in White Gold

The first model made for Cortina Watch in 1997 to commemorate its 25th anniversary features a triple row guilloched “Clous de Paris” hobnail bezel, a charcoal grey sunburst dial with a black-gradient rim, white transfer-printed Roman numerals, and white gold, pear-shaped hands. The new white gold Ref. 5057G-010 has been produced especially for the 50th anniversary.

The Caliber 240 PS IRM C LU movement powers the Caliber 240 PS IRM C LU display, which features two subdials that show the date, moon phases, and power reserve along with a tiny seconds counter between the four and five o’clock hour markers. With a 48-hour power reserve, the very tiny, self-winding movement can be seen via the sapphire caseback, which is translucent and inscribed with “Cortina Watch 50th Anniversary Since 1972” in white.

Patek Philippe Ref. 20145M-001 “Singapore Skyline”.

Ref. 20145M-001 “Singapore Skyline”: A Unique Dome Table Clock in Cloisonné Enamel, Enriched with Silver Spangles and Gold and Silver Powder

In addition, Patek Philippe designed a special dome clock in Grand Feu cloisonné enamel for the Cortina Watch 50th anniversary celebration. The Ref. 20145M-001 “Singapore Skyline” honours Singapore’s outstanding metropolitan landscape, including the Merlion mascot, the Central Business District, Gardens by the Bay, the Esplanade, and Marina Bay Sands, where Cortina Watch inaugurated the second Patek Philippe store in Singapore.

The enameller utilised 9.2 m of 24K gold wire (18.45 g), measuring 0.2 x 0.6 mm in cross-section, cut into small pieces, and manually moulded to form the shapes of the city skyline and its most famous structures.

A palette of 50 enamel hues was employed for the scene’s enchanting tints, with their delicate gradations and layered effects: 47 transparent, 1 opaque, and 2 opalescent. Ten to fourteen firings at temperatures between 890° and 910° C were necessary for each enamelled plate. To commemorate the jubilee, a shower of 50 gold fireworks and gold stars cascade the sky. A dial centre in cloisonné enamel is framed by a guilloched hour circle with dentate margins that evoke the flowers in the garden city. The hour circle is set with 12 lapis lazuli baguette markers totaling 2.27ct. The clock is subtly marked with the engraving “Cortina Watch – 50th Anniversary – Since 1972”. The Caliber 17″‘ PEND mechanical movement is rewound by an electric motor and powers the dome table clock. 

Patek Philippe and Cortina Watch have a relationship that goes beyond their retail cooperation. It is an intergenerational friendship between the Stern family, who own Patek Philippe, and Mr Anthony Lim’s family, who are the custodians of Cortina Watch.

“Patek Philippe and Cortina Watch share an intertwined relationship in Asia, from the establishment of the Patek Philippe boutiques across Southeast and East Asia, to our shared passion for fine watchmaking and craftsmanship. Not only have I personally experienced this through the generous friendship of Mr. Thierry Stern and Mr. Philippe Stern, so have many of our clients who have had the privilege of visiting the manufacture. We have retained the aesthetic codes of the 25th anniversary Calatrava, launched in 1997, for the 50^th anniversary limited edition. This is in homage to the past and present leaders of both companies who have nurtured our longstanding partnership. I hope that it will continue to strengthen over the next 50 years, and with the next generations after us.”

Jeremy Lim, CEO of Cortina Watch

“The friendship between my grandfather, father and Mr. Anthony Lim started over 66 years ago and it still stands strong today, much like the relationship between Patek Philippe & Cortina Watch. This is a unique and precious relationship that truly transcends generations, and I am proud to be part of this very special celebration and to present the Ref. 20145M-001 “Singapore Skyline” Dome Table Clock to Mr. Anthony Lim on behalf of my father. We look forward to another 50 years of great partnership and for our next generations to keep this friendship going.”

Mr. Thierry Stern, President of Patek Philippe

“This strong and unwavering partnership forged between Patek Philippe and Cortina Watch 50 years ago is the perfect embodiment of what Patek Philippe represents. Cortina Watch is a long trusted and very important partner for Patek Philippe in the Southeast Asia region that truly understands the values of Patek Philippe and have nurtured strong relationships over generations of local clients. We look forward to working together as we continue to grow alongside and support each other.”

Deepa Chatrath, General Manager of Geneva Master Time Marketing

To commemorate this 50-year collaboration that spans generations, Cortina Watch and Patek Philippe will co-host an exhibition that chronicles their alliance. The limited edition Ref. 5057G-010 and Ref. 20145M-001 “Singapore Skyline” dome table clocks, as well as the Ref. 5057R-001 25th anniversary model, will be on display during the expo. It will also include Cortina Watch’s collection of several other unique Patek Philippe creations, such as Ref. 1677M “Esplanade,” created for Singapore’s Golden Jubilee in 2015; Ref. 20094M-001 “Bay of Singapore,” created for the Patek Philippe Watch Art Grand Exhibition, which will be held in Singapore in 2019; and Ref. 20040M-001 “Twilight Taipei,” created to commemorate the first Patek Philippe boutique established in the city’s most prominent skyscraper.

The traveling exhibition will be displayed at Patek Philippe stores around the region, beginning in Singapore at ION Orchard and Marina Bay Sands. It will travel to Taiwan, Thailand and Malaysia before finally returning to Singapore towards the end of the year.

Visual credits: Cortina Watch