www.womanthismonth.com 97 March 2014 The Patek Philippe Sky Moon Tourbillon Ref 6002 unites two dimensions with incomparable poise: the precision of a tourbillion timekeeping instrument with the rate accuracy of a chronometer and the immaculate decorations that reflect the artisanal traditions of Geneva. A sculpture for the wrist The case of the Ref 6002 is a superb oeuvre carved from the massive white-gold blank entirely by hand. The eloquent ornaments, arabesque garlands and gently curved elements of the Calatrava cross are produced with chip removal techniques using sharp burins. These not only incise the precious metal, but actually ‘lift’ the decorations out of the gold surface. The engraver applies the chisel to sculpt life into the small surfaces between the threedimensional structures. Thus, more than one hundred hours of work are invested until the engraving alone meets the approval of the master artisan and Patek Philippe’s president, Thierry Stern. With the same precision and artistry, the engraver uses relief techniques to decorate the minute repeater slide in the case flank, the two crowns and the white-gold clasp that locks the strap. The ornaments of the two crowns are as informative as they are decorative. The dynamometric winding crown at four o’clock shows an arrow in relief to indicate the direction of rotation, while the moon and stars in relief on the crown at two o’clock reveal that it is intended to adjust sidereal time and the celestial functions on the rear dial. Celestial display The back dial of the Sky Moon Tourbillon Ref 6002 presents a highly unusual spectacle on its rear dial. The night sky of the northern hemisphere rotates beneath a sapphire-crystal glass, depicting the angular motion of the stars and of the moon, the meridian passages of Sirius and of the moon, and the waxing and waning moon phases. Additionally, two hands from the centre indicate sidereal time on a 24-hour scale. An elliptical contour surrounds the portion of the nocturnal sky that is visible from a specific location. These fascinating functions are handled by a highly unique, patented mechanical module. With this Sky-Moon mechanism, Patek Philippe has achieved a nearly incredible degree of precision in the astronomical depiction of the heavenly canopy. Call 17 520-055.
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