Patek Philippe opens its Watch Art Grand Exhibition in Milan on Friday 2 October. Running until Sunday 18 October, with free admission, the seventh edition is the largest exhibition the manufacture has ever organised, offering an immersive journey into fine watchmaking and taking visitors right behind the scenes.
Since 2012, Patek Philippe’s Grand Exhibitions have connected the Geneva manufacture with collectors, enthusiasts and the public. The six previous editions – in Dubai, Munich, London, New York, Singapore and Tokyo – welcomed some 60,000 visitors. Italy, a key historical market, now joins them.
The CityOval, formerly the Palazzo delle Scintille, in Milan’s CityLife district, hosts the Patek Philippe Watch Art Grand Exhibition.
Designed by Paolo Vietti-Violi and inaugurated in 1923, the Palazzo delle Scintille has been renovated and renamed the CityOval as part of the CityLife regeneration. Beneath its 30-metre dome, the exhibition fills some 2,900 of its 4,000 square metres across 15 themed areas, including evocations of Patek’s Geneva landmarks.
Around 500 timepieces and objects are on view, including the current collection, from style icons to the most complex mechanisms. A Rare Handcrafts section presents 27 exceptional pieces, among them two unique creations inspired by Italy: the “Burano” ref. 992/193J-001 pocket watch, with cloisonné enamel in 70 colours, and the “Sicilian Oranges” ref. 20179M-001 dome table clock, which sets orange groves against a view of Palermo painted in miniature.
“Burano” ref. 992/193J-001 pocket watch, with cloisonné enamel in 70 colours, and “Sicilian Oranges” ref. 20179M-001 dome table clock.
Artisans and master watchmakers give live demonstrations. The “Master of Sound” room is devoted to chiming watches, while a “Super Complications” salon gathers the Calibre 89, the Grandmaster Chime ref. 5175 and the Star Caliber 2000. More than 90 Museum pieces include King Umberto I’s 1897 pocket watch and a 1948 World Time ref. 1415 HU.
The star of the show for the Milan 2026 exhibition, ref. 5978P-010, limited to 120 pieces, with a new calibre that pairs the CH 29-535 chronograph movement with an instantaneous perpetual calendar for the first time.
Seven limited editions are reserved exclusively for the Italian market (the number is given in brackets). The star of the show is the platinum ref. 5978P-010 (120), which pairs the CH 29-535 chronograph movement with an instantaneous perpetual calendar for the first time, its displays switching in 30 milliseconds. A Calatrava trio echoes the Italian flag: the red 7047G-010 minute repeater (5 pieces), the green 7147G-010 perpetual calendar (100) and the white 7007G-010 (200). A steel Aquanaut 5167A-014 (250) follows, plus two World Time minute repeaters, 5531G-012 and 5531G-013 (5 each), with cloisonné enamel maps of Milan by day and by night. Past event watches already fetch a premium at auction, so expect fierce demand.
Milan 2026 limited editions: the World Time Minute Repeater ref. 5531G-012 (left), with its enamel map of Milan by day, the ref. 5531G-013 (centre), with the enamel map of Milan at night, and right, the Aquanaut 5167A-014 limited to 250 pieces.
Overall, the Watch Art Grand Exhibition Milano 2026 stands as a landmark celebration of Patek Philippe’s artistry, uniting history, culture, technical brilliance, and the enduring spirit of craftsmanship in the heart of one of Europe’s great cities.
Author: Andrew Hildreth
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