Patek Philippe Calatrava Collection

Savoir-Faire is the human touch, the irreplaceable skill of hand-finishing. The jewel in the crown of a Patek Philippe watch is the fact that, from its case and dial to its beating heart, it has been finished by hand by a dedicated, trained specialist, with skills passed down through generations.

The term “hand-finishing” includes a wide array of fine decorations and subtle enhancements, painstakingly manually performed on watch components once they’ve come from the machine that produced them. Hand-finishing expertise is also part and parcel of the stunning range of rare handcrafts produced by Patek Philippe, where this artistry is employed to craft exquisite enameled wristwatches, glorious dome table clocks, and collectible pocket watches featuring marquetry, or enameled or gem-set cases and dials. 

It’s a standard of excellence that is embodied in the Patek Philippe Seal, the benchmark applied to all mechanical watches that guarantees the company’s quality criteria – the strictest in Swiss watchmaking – have been met. Every single detail is taken into account to achieve the best conceivable result. All elements of a timepiece (including the movement, the inside and outside of the case, dial, pushpieces) are immaculately finished.

In French, known asanglage. Here, the sharp edge between the surface and the flank is cut away to a smooth 45° curve, then polished to a gleam. One of the most complicated of finish methods, chamfering is time consuming and calls for consummate artisanship. The angle’s surface must be regular and smooth, with parallel edges and a constant width. Use too much pressure and the component deforms; not enough, and the angle won’t be clear and sharp. A chamfer highlights the shape of the part, like a cloud’s silver lining, and when chamfered components are assembled, the play of light is breathtaking. The process also removes any residual burrs. 

The rippling Côtes de Genève are the most famed of watch decorations, a series of arc-grained bars etched lightly onto a metal surface, for example a movement main plate, bridge, or rotor. At Patek, the procedure is very personal to the artisan, who begins by cutting his own wooden tool. Attached to a grinding wheel, the tool is coated with abrasive and repeatedly pressed down on the component, barely touching it, removing a tiny quantity of material and creating a serene wave pattern. A steady hand is crucial for perfectly straight lines or circular patterns for the rotor. 

Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry is proud to be the premier authorized retailer for Patek Philippe in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. We carry the masterpieces created by the most renowned watchmaking company in the world. For over 40 years, we have brought the most prestigious of Swiss timepieces to our discerning clientele. We invite you to our flagship store on Corporate Boulevard to view our beautiful assortment of Patek Philippe fine watches for men and ladies. Come in today to experience the enduring appeal of the Patek Philippe universe.