Alvin Wong 26 May 2015

Thierry Stern, Patek Philippe’s president and fourth generation owner of the family business, stressed that the watch company’s 175th celebration wasn’t his to claim.

“The man to thank would be my father (and ex-president), Philippe Stern,” Thierry clarified at his welcome speech. “My time will come, after maybe the next 25 years.” Not that it mattered to the 3,600-plus guests, spanning journalists to collectors to watch retailers, who attended the event. Patek Philippe’s independence and family owned legacy was clear to see. And it was reiterated in no uncertain terms with the interactive exhibitions that accompanied gala dinner, including watchmaking demonstrations, up-close experiences with the brand’s minute repeaters, immersive video presentations of its Grandmaster Chime movement, and showcase of this year’s top novelties and unique collectors’ pieces, which were flown in specially for the event.

Alvin Wong

Ex Editor-In Chief

Alvin promises not to be a douche when talking about watches. He may have scoured the Basel and Geneva watch fairs for the past 15 years, and played an instrumental role to the growth of Singapore's pioneering horological and men's lifestyle publications, but the intrepid scribe seeks to learn something new with each story he writes.