It's worth taking a paid vacation to go to the "Patek Philippe Watch Art Grand Exhibition Tokyo 2023"!

Currently, Shinjuku Sumitomo Building Triangle Plaza (Open mapThe "Patek Philippe Watch Art Grand Exhibition Tokyo 2023" is currently being held at the Tokyo Metropolitan Museum of Art. This exceptionally large-scale exhibition aims to recreate the magnificent world of Patek Philippe, the world's leading luxury watch manufacturer based in Geneva, Switzerland, in Tokyo, and has achieved this magnificent feat. The exhibition will run until Sunday, June 25, 2023, and there is only a short time left until then.

Journalist Yasuhito Shibuya, who is also well-versed in the Geneva headquarters, provides a clear explanation of the highlights of this exhibition of the century, which you will undoubtedly regret for the rest of your life if you miss it.

Conclusion: Regardless of age or gender, you should take a vacation and go right now!

An impressive exhibit not found even at the Patek Philippe Museum

"Wow! Even at the Patek Philippe Museum in Geneva, you can't see it this close up!" "I can't believe I can see it like this in Tokyo!"

　These words escaped my lips as I entered the venue and began to look around. Such magnificent timepieces are on display in a wonderful way at the Patek Philippe Watch Art Grand Exhibition Tokyo 2023, which opened on June 10, 2023, at the Shinjuku Sumitomo Building Triangle Plaza in Shinjuku, Tokyo.

　The Patek Philippe Museum, the world's leading watch museum, opened by Patek Philippe in November 2001, is a must-visit for any watch enthusiast, and ideally, you'll want to spend several days there enjoying the exhibits. I've been there many times myself. Here, you can see the history of watchmaking spanning over 500 years, and Patek Philippe's greatest creations, from the earliest drum-shaped mechanical watches made in the 16th century to today's ultra-complex watches.

　However, I was surprised when I entered the "Patek Philippe Watch Art Grand Exhibition Tokyo 2023" currently being held in Shinjuku, Tokyo. I never expected to be able to see the watches on display at the museum, such as the legendary super-complicated pocket watch masterpieces "Caliber 89" (1989) and "Star Caliber 2000" (2000), the equally legendary astronomical complication watch "Sky Moon Tourbillon Ref. 6002," and even the "Grandmaster Chime Ref. 5175" (2014) with its 20 complicated mechanisms and its latest current model, up close!!!

　You can also get a closer look at masterpieces loved by celebrities in world history, including the pocket watch favored by Queen Victoria of the British Empire, than you can at the museum in Geneva.

A stunning Japan Limited Edition!

The "must-see" watches don't end with these Patek Philippe masterpieces from the past.

　The first thing you should check out is the limited editions that will be unveiled and exhibited for the first time in the world at the 6th Watch Art Grand Exhibition. Six limited editions were introduced at this year's Tokyo 2023 event.

　Not to be missed are two models featuring groundbreaking new technologies being unveiled for the first time: a new automatic quadruple complication (Ref. 5308P-010) and the first World Time watch with a date display synchronized with local time (Ref. 5330G-010).

　There is also a technical explanation corner for this model, which explains what this new technology is all about with a resin model. This is something that webChronos readers should not miss, along with the display of Patek Philippe's in-house movement.

　Another must-see is the Japan Limited Collection, which features a number of unique pieces themed around Japanese culture and crafted with the highest level of craftsmanship. These rare, handcrafted timepieces, such as domed table clocks and pocket watches, are sure to captivate you with their beauty and artistry.

The collection showcases rare handcrafted techniques that Patek Philippe has meticulously protected and nurtured, including miniature enamel painting, cloisonné enamel, hand engraving, delicate wood inlay, hand-guilloched decoration, and gem setting. Visitors can also see demonstrations by the world's finest artisans, including master enamel artist Anita Porcher.

There is also a historical exhibit tracing the history of clocks with actual items.

　In addition to the historical masterpieces of Patek Philippe introduced at the beginning, something even more must-see, especially for me, who has increasingly written about the history of watches, is the Patek Philippe Museum's "Old Collection," which is usually exhibited in the museum's history section and tells the story of over 450 years of watchmaking history, including a 16th century drum-type mechanical watch.

　Among them are pieces made by French watchmaker Ferdinand Berthoud, known for developing the chronometer, and British watchmaker John Arnold.

　Additionally, there will be an exhibition of a rare private collection of Patek Philippe watches owned by a Japanese watch collector.

The deadline is fast approaching! You should definitely watch it even if it means using your paid vacation!

　One of the major themes of this exhibition is "recreating the world of Patek Philippe in Geneva in Tokyo," as seen from the entrance, which recreates the view of Geneva's old town with the Flower Clock on Lake Geneva in the background and the Great Fountain in the background.

　However, in terms of "appreciating historical masterpieces," there are more ideal exhibits than in Geneva.

　This is a must-see collection for anyone who loves art and crafts, let alone clocks. It's free to see, and it's located in Shinjuku, which is easy to access. It runs until June 25th. You don't have much time. You can view it from 10am until 8pm. Admission is limited to one hour before closing, so you'll be fine if you make it by 7pm (however, on the final day, the 25th, it closes at 5pm, with last admission at 4pm).

　We recommend visiting during the day on a weekday, when it's relatively quiet and you can take your time to see what you want to see. Even if it's just a day or half a day, why not take a day off and head to Shinjuku's Sankaku Hiroba? Now, you can view the exhibition without making an online reservation, making it even easier to get there. If you're near Shinjuku and have a little free time, head to the "Patek Philippe Watch Art Grand Exhibition Tokyo 2023" at Sankaku Hiroba. Look for the purple sign near the police box on the first basement floor concourse at Shinjuku Station's west exit!