Patek Philippe – the gravé and émaillé technique

Collecting · · by Christian Bissener


Close view of the grey dial of a Patek Philippe 3429 in white gold, with applied indices and Patek Philippe Genève signature

All the early Patek Philippe timepieces had dials made by Cadran Stern, mostly finished in the gravé main and émaillé technique. It was a very demanding technique, which called for craftsmanship, knowledge and experience.

The cover shows the dial of a 3429 in white gold. The following examples are a third-series 2499 in yellow gold and a 570 in yellow gold.

Close view of the dial of a Patek Philippe 2499 in yellow gold, third series, with moon phase and calendar
Patek Philippe 2499, yellow gold, third series

Close view of the dial of a Patek Philippe 570 in yellow gold with applied indices
Patek Philippe 570, yellow gold

More on the maker of these dials: Patek Philippe Chronometro Gondolo from 1912.