Patek Philippe Rare Handcrafts: 14 Interpretations Of Italian Art
For the WATCH ART™ Grand Exhibition – Milan 2026, Patek Philippe presents 14 Rare Handcrafts creations that transform Italian landscapes, architecture and traditions into miniature works of horological art.
For the occasion of the WATCH ART™ Grand Exhibition – Milan 2026, Patek Philippe brings together a collection of Rare Handcrafts pieces dedicated to the extraordinary craftsmanship that continues to define the upper reaches of traditional watchmaking. Across fourteen creations, the Manufacture turns to enamel, cloisonné, miniature painting, wood marquetry, engraving and guilloché to interpret subjects deeply connected with Italian culture.
Rather than treating the dial simply as a surface for displaying the time, these creations make it the centre of the artistic expression. Each composition requires highly specialised techniques, repeated firings, painstaking handwork and, in several cases, hundreds of individual elements assembled at miniature scale. The subjects range from the architecture of Piedmont and the streets of Naples to the landscapes of Tuscany, Capri, Puglia, Chianti and Lake Como, while the lace traditions of Burano and the decorative heritage of Florence also find their place in the collection.
The result is a group of watches in which the distinction between watchmaking and miniature art becomes increasingly difficult to draw.
Florentine Mosaic — Ref. 7040/250G-011
The Florentine Mosaic is perhaps one of the clearest demonstrations of how Patek Philippe can translate an ancient decorative technique into the language of watchmaking. This unique white-gold minute repeater takes its inspiration from the Florentine mosaic tradition, historically used by Italian artisans to create naturalistic compositions from carefully selected pieces of hardstone.
The dial recreates the appearance of a seventeenth-century Florentine table through miniature painting on enamel. The process begins with a black Grand Feu enamel background, followed by two to three layers of grisaille enamel that provide the foundation for the floral composition. From there, the enameller works with a palette of sixteen colours, introducing tiny marks intended to reproduce the natural inclusions and variations found in stone.
The sense of depth is further enhanced by nine finishing coats of transparent flux enamel. The dial requires approximately 25 firings at around 750°C, making the finished composition the result of a long sequence of controlled interventions rather than a single decorative process.
The 36mm white-gold Officer-style case houses the self-winding R 27 PS minute repeater, while 168 diamonds decorate the bezel and another 26 are set into the white-gold buckle. The turquoise-green alligator strap continues the colours of the floral composition.
Price: €658,747 — Unique Piece
Crouching Lion — Ref. 5738/50G-039
The Crouching Lion brings Naples into the Golden Ellipse collection. Limited to six pieces, it depicts the sculpture created by Pasquale Ricca in 1866, here reimagined in front of the monumental colonnade of the Basilica of San Francesco di Paola on Piazza del Plebiscito.
Its monochromatic appearance comes from the demanding technique of grisaille enamel au blanc de Limoges. The enameller works with a white, oil-based enamel over an opaque black enamel background, building the image with a tiny brush and needle. Through carefully controlled shading, the architecture acquires its volume while cracks in the stone, light and shadow are rendered in different tones between black and white.
Each dial undergoes between 19 and 20 firings, with temperatures gradually ranging from 780°C to 755°C. The result is a scene that has the character of an old architectural drawing while remaining entirely within the confines of a watch dial.
The 34.5 x 39.5mm white-gold Golden Ellipse houses the ultra-thin self-winding Calibre 240, measuring only 2.53mm thick. A shiny black alligator strap completes the restrained monochromatic aesthetic.
Price: €155,704 — Limited to 6 pieces
Baroque Decoration — Ref. 5738/50G-050
The Baroque Decoration turns to the Palace of Venaria near Turin, one of the great architectural expressions of Italian Baroque. Built in 1675 for the royal family of Savoy, the palace provides the inspiration for a composition depicting its painted vaults and dormer windows.
Here, Grand Feu cloisonné enamel provides the architectural framework. Around one metre of gold wire, weighing approximately 0.68g, is used to trace the contours of the design. The enameller then introduces transparent, opaque and opalescent enamels in a palette of twenty colours, while miniature painting adds the delicate details of the palace ornamentation.
Each dial requires around 12 firings at temperatures exceeding 800°C, demonstrating the degree of control required to preserve the different enamel surfaces while gradually building the final composition.
The 34.5 x 39.5mm white-gold Golden Ellipse houses Calibre 240 and is paired with a shiny mauve alligator strap. Only six examples are produced.
Price: €167,681 — Limited to 6 pieces
Sunset in Tuscany — Ref. 5738/50R-017
The Sunset in Tuscany takes a different route, replacing enamel with the warmth and natural variation of wood. The scene depicts a Tuscan village at the end of the day, with the setting sun colouring the sky and the surrounding countryside.
Creating this landscape required the marquetry-maker to cut and assemble 203 tiny veneer components and 75 even smaller inlays, using wood from 57 different species. Differences in colour, texture and grain become part of the image itself, allowing the countryside and the changing tones of the sky to emerge from natural materials rather than painted surfaces.
The composition is housed in a 34.5 x 39.5mm rose-gold Golden Ellipse with a solid case back and Calibre 240. A light-brown calfskin strap recalls the tradition of Italian fine leatherwork, while the rose-gold buckle follows the elliptical form of the case. The edition is limited to ten pieces.
Price: €179,659 — Limited to 10 pieces
The Great Gallery — Ref. 5738/50R-027
The second interpretation of the Palace of Venaria focuses on its Galleria Grande, an imposing 80-metre-long gallery known for its extraordinary perspective.
On the dial, approximately 1.2 metres of gold wire are used to outline the tiled floor, sculptures and colonnade in Grand Feu cloisonné enamel. Twenty colours of transparent, opaque and opalescent enamel then establish the architectural details, while miniature painting recreates the appearance of veined black marble on the floor.
The result is a particularly convincing exercise in miniature architectural painting. Around twelve firings at temperatures above 800°C are required for each dial, with every stage contributing to the final sense of depth and perspective.
Presented in rose gold, the Golden Ellipse measures 34.5 x 39.5mm and is 6.58mm thick. It houses the ultra-thin Calibre 240 and is limited to five pieces.
Price: €191,636 — Limited to 5 pieces
Lacework in Blue — Ref. 5077/100G-080
The Lacework in Blue moves from architecture and landscapes to one of Italy’s most distinctive craft traditions: the lacework of Burano.
The floral pattern begins with light hand engraving before translucent enamel is applied using the champlevé technique. Silver leaf is then placed beneath translucent enamel according to the paillonné tradition, illuminating the pale-blue petals from within. Five shades of transparent and opaque enamel provide additional colour, while several layers of transparent flux complete the composition.
The sapphire crystal receives another expression of the same theme. Its surface is hand-engraved with an embroidery motif inspired by the work of Burano’s lacemakers, extending the artistic treatment beyond the dial itself.
The 38mm white-gold Calatrava is set with 112 diamonds on the bezel and lugs, plus another 29 on the buckle. Its navy-blue calfskin strap complements the blue enamel, while the sapphire case back reveals Calibre 240.
Price: €137,738 — Limited to 6 pieces
The Pink Bay — Ref. 5077/100G-082
The Pink Bay interprets the Bay of Naples at sunset, when the landscape is illuminated by the vivid pink of bougainvillea.
Its construction combines guilloché, flinqué enamel, cloisonné enamel and miniature painting. The dial begins with a hand-executed wavy guilloché pattern, covered by translucent enamel so that the underlying decoration remains visible. Around 48cm of gold wire are then used to define the flowers, pine trees and bay in Grand Feu cloisonné enamel.
An extraordinary palette of 84 enamel colours creates the gradations of the evening light, while fifteen additional colours of miniature painting refine details such as the yacht, the sky and individual bougainvillea petals. Each dial requires seven to eight firings between 750°C and 840°C.
The 38mm white-gold Calatrava is set with 141 diamonds in total and paired with a vivid fuchsia-pink alligator strap. Through the sapphire case back, Calibre 240 remains visible.
Price: €143,727 — Limited to 6 pieces
Bay of Naples — Ref. 5077/100J-010
The second Naples-inspired Calatrava turns to the Faraglioni di Capri, with lemon trees overlooking the sea along the Amalfi coast.
Again, the dial combines hand-executed guilloché with translucent flinqué enamel, followed by Grand Feu cloisonné enamel. Around 40cm of gold wire define the citrus trees, countryside and other elements of the landscape, while a palette of thirty enamel colours introduces depth and subtle shading.
The smallest details receive nine additional colours through miniature painting on enamel, including reflections on the water and the texture of the lemon peel. The dial undergoes eight to nine firings between 750°C and 820°C.
The 38mm yellow-gold case is set with 141 diamonds and fitted with a blue-grey alligator strap. Calibre 240 provides the mechanical foundation, visible through the sapphire crystal case back.
Price: €143,727 — Limited to 6 pieces
Lacework in Pink — Ref. 5077/100R-069
The Lacework in Pink revisits the Burano theme in rose gold, translating the island’s lace-making tradition into a softer palette.
The floral pattern is first lightly hammered into selected petals before translucent enamel is applied using the champlevé technique. Silver leaf beneath the translucent enamel creates luminous pale-pink tones according to the paillonné tradition, while six shades of transparent and opaque enamel add colour.
The process concludes with several coats of transparent flux and further hand engraving of the champlevé decoration. Each dial requires between eight and twelve firings at 760°C. The sapphire crystal is also hand engraved with a lace-inspired embroidery motif.
Its 38mm rose-gold case carries 141 diamonds, while the chocolate-brown calfskin strap provides a darker contrast to the pink decoration. Calibre 240 is visible through the sapphire case back.
Price: €137,738 — Limited to 6 pieces
Capri Beach — Ref. 5077/100R-072
With Capri Beach, Patek Philippe turns to the relaxed atmosphere of the island’s coastline. The scene depicts a sun-filled stretch of Capri surrounded by the turquoise waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea, complete with parasols, holidaymakers and waves.
The dial combines wavy guilloché beneath translucent flinqué enamel with Grand Feu cloisonné enamel. Around 41cm of gold wire define the contours of the rocks, while a palette of 22 colours creates the seaside atmosphere through contrasts and gradations.
A further ten colours of miniature painting add the smallest elements, from the parasols and figures to the foam on the waves. The dial undergoes between 15 and 20 firings at temperatures ranging from 800°C to 840°C.
The 38mm rose-gold Calatrava features 141 diamonds and a turquoise alligator strap. As with the other 5077 creations, Calibre 240 is visible through the sapphire case back.
Price: €143,727 — Limited to 6 pieces
Amalfi Escapade — Ref. 5177G-053
The Amalfi Escapade places one of Italy’s most recognisable cars on the dramatic roads overlooking the Amalfi coast. The composition captures the car navigating the bends of the cliffside landscape, framed by the sea and Mediterranean vegetation.
The outlines of the landscape and the miniature car are created using around 43cm of gold wire in Grand Feu cloisonné enamel. The scene then develops through a palette of 35 transparent and opaque colours, while another 32 colours of miniature painting are used to create the clouds, variations in the sea and the illusion of depth.
Each dial requires approximately nine firings at 830°C. The 38mm white-gold Calatrava features a Clous de Paris hobnail bezel, a signature decorative element of Patek Philippe, and a turquoise alligator strap. Calibre 240 can be admired through the sapphire case back.
Price: €137,738 — Limited to 6 pieces
A Trip to Puglia — Ref. 5177G-054
The A Trip to Puglia continues the Italian road-trip theme, this time placing the car among the characteristic trulli of southern Italy.
Around 47cm of gold wire are used to trace the landscape and car in Grand Feu cloisonné enamel. Transparent, opaque and opalescent enamels in 28 colours create volume in the trees and the vehicle, while thirteen additional colours of miniature painting bring out the dry-stone roofs and clouds.
Approximately twelve firings at 820°C are required for each dial. The 38mm white-gold Calatrava features the same Clous de Paris bezel, with a dark-blue alligator strap providing a deep contrast to the colourful scene.
Price: €143,727 — Limited to 6 pieces
Stop-off in Chianti — Ref. 5177R-010
The journey continues through Tuscany with Stop-off in Chianti, where the car associated with the Italian dolce vita pauses among the vineyards of the Chianti region.
The enameller uses approximately 52cm of gold wire to outline the grapevines and car, followed by a palette of 28 transparent, opaque and opalescent colours that creates volume and gradation across the landscape.
The finer elements — including the vineyard, distant houses, cypress trees and reddening evening sky — are rendered through miniature painting using another 23 colours. The dial requires eleven firings at 820°C.
The 38mm rose-gold Calatrava features a Clous de Paris bezel and a honey-beige alligator strap. Its rose-gold hands and case complement the warm colours of the landscape, while Calibre 240 is visible through the sapphire case back.
Price: €143,727 — Limited to 6 pieces
Arrival in Como — Ref. 5177R-011
The final piece, Arrival in Como, brings the journey to Lake Como. The scene depicts the iconic Italian car arriving among the brightly coloured houses surrounding the lake, with green hills rising behind the water.
Around 60cm of gold wire are used to trace the contours of the houses’ windows and the bodywork of the car. The enameller then works with an expansive palette of 40 colours, combining transparent, opaque and opalescent enamels to give the scene its richness.
A further 17 colours of miniature painting reproduce the ripples on the lake and the atmospheric haze above the hills. Each dial requires approximately twelve firings at 830°C, demonstrating once again the patience involved in translating an expansive landscape into a surface only a few centimetres across.
The 38mm rose-gold Calatrava is finished with a Clous de Paris bezel and a coral alligator strap. Its sapphire case back reveals the ultra-thin Calibre 240.
Price: €137,738 — Limited to 6 pieces
Fourteen Interpretations Of Italian Craft
Taken together, these fourteen Rare Handcrafts creations form something closer to a miniature exhibition than a conventional watch collection. Each piece approaches Italy from a different direction: through its architecture, landscapes, decorative arts, traditional crafts and the visual language of the dolce vita.
The techniques are equally diverse. Cloisonné enamel builds architectural and landscape compositions from fine gold wires; champlevé and paillonné bring the lace of Burano to life; grisaille enamel creates monochromatic architectural scenes; flinqué enamel allows hand-executed guilloché to remain visible beneath translucent colour; and wood marquetry transforms dozens of different natural materials into a single landscape.
What connects all fourteen pieces is the extraordinary amount of work hidden behind their apparent simplicity. A dial may require metres of gold wire, dozens of colours, numerous firings or hundreds of individually cut components before it is considered complete. At the WATCH ART™ Grand Exhibition in Milan, Patek Philippe uses these creations to demonstrate that the preservation of traditional crafts is not about looking backwards, but about finding new ways to keep them alive at the smallest possible scale.
In these watches, Italy becomes not only the subject of the artwork, but also the starting point for a broader celebration of craftsmanship, patience and the human hand.
For more information, please visit the official Patek Philippe website.
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