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 1997 the firm brought all of it together at Plan-les-Ouates, a manufacture built from the ground up for the purpose, and Henri Stern and his son Philippe opened it in front of the people who had built the house's reputation with them. The medal was their gift to those guests. Its inscription is not a corporate line but 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 Frères, Le Locle
The Plan-les-Ouates manufacture in relief, reverse
Huguenin Frères of Le Locle have struck medals for the Swiss watch industry since 1868 and had already made Patek Philippe's 150th anniversary bronze in 1989, so the commission for 1997 went to them again. The obverse carries the dedication in eight lines around the Calatrava cross and a balance wheel, with the 925 fineness mark and the HF punch at the foot. The reverse is the building: the long Plan-les-Ouates façade in high relief under 1839, Patek Philippe & Cie, with the cross and Patek Philippe Genève below. It is sterling silver, 40mm across and 36.7g in the hand, the weight of a medal meant to be kept rather than worn.
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. The medal is therefore part of a complete Pagoda set, and one that has become separated from its watch is the exception rather than the rule. As a piece of the house's own history it carries the names of the two men who took Patek Philippe from a family firm to the manufacture it is today, at the moment they opened its doors.
Henri Stern et Philippe Stern, à tous nos amis
Obverse
Excellent
Crisp relief throughout, even silver patina, no scratches or contact marks.
Reverse
Excellent
Building relief sharp, every line of text legible, patina even.
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 Frères, Le Locle
- Object
- Commemorative medal
- Occasion
- Inauguration of the Plan-les-Ouates manufacture
- Date
- 1997
- Material
- Sterling silver (925)
- Diameter
- 40mm
- Weight
- 36.7g
- Hallmarks
- 925, HF (Huguenin Frères)
- Country
- Switzerland
The Estate Collection
Room IV · Acquisition
€750
We'd love to discuss this piece with you.
Patek Philippe
€750
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Patek Philippe Medal, 1997
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