I · The Occasion/II · The Medal/III · The Pagoda/IV · Acquisition
Room I · The Occasion
One roof, 1997
The dedication, obverse
For most of its history Patek Philippe made its watches in the upper floors of the Rue du Rhône building and in workshops scattered across Geneva. In 1996 the firm brought all of it together at Plan-les-Ouates, a manufacture built from the ground up for the purpose, and in 1997 Henri Stern and his son Philippe inaugurated it. The medal was their gift to the friends of the house, and the inscription is a personal one: from Henri Stern and Philippe Stern, to all our friends, on the occasion of the inauguration of the new Patek Philippe manufacture, 1997.
Room II · The Medal
Struck by Huguenin, Le Locle
The Plan-les-Ouates manufacture in relief, reverse
Huguenin of Le Locle, striking medals since 1888, had already made Patek Philippe's 150th anniversary medal in 1989. The obverse carries the dedication in eight lines beneath the Calatrava cross and the Patek Philippe Genève mark, a balance wheel at its right, the 925 fineness mark and the HF punch at the foot. The reverse is the building: the long Plan-les-Ouates façade in relief under 1839, Patek Philippe & Cie, with the cross and Patek Philippe Genève below. It is sterling silver, 40mm across.
Room III · The Pagoda
Companion to a limited edition
Obverse
To mark the same opening Patek Philippe issued the Pagoda, a limited edition of 2,750 watches in its distinctive curved case, reference 5500 for men and reference 4900 for women, and each one was delivered with this medal in its presentation box. A complete Pagoda set includes one. As a piece of the house's own history it carries the names of the father and son at the head of the family firm, at its inauguration.
Henri Stern et Philippe Stern, à tous nos amis
Obverse
Excellent
Crisp relief throughout, even silver patina, light hairlines in the field.
Reverse
Excellent
Building relief sharp, every line of text legible; light hairlines across the façade and a few small dark toning spots along the building edges.
Edge
Excellent
Smooth, with no dings or rim wear.
Hallmarks
Excellent
The 925 fineness mark and HF punch are clearly struck.
Accompaniments
Medal only, without box or papers.
- Maker
- Patek Philippe, Geneva
- Struck by
- Huguenin Médailleurs SA, Le Locle
- Object
- Commemorative medal
- Occasion
- Inauguration of the Plan-les-Ouates manufacture
- Date
- 1997
- Material
- Sterling silver (925)
- Diameter
- 40mm
- Hallmarks
- 925, HF (Huguenin Frères)
- Country
- Switzerland
The Estate Collection
Room IV · Acquisition
€925
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Patek Philippe
€925
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Patek Philippe Medal, 1997
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