In April 2008, the first Patek Philippe salon in the United States will open. Housed at Tiffany's New York flagship store, the salon will feature 3,000-square-feet of space devoted entirely to presenting Patek Philippe's timepieces, and the brand's rich heritage of fine watchmaking.
The distinguished retail relationship between Tiffany & Co. and Patek Philippe began in the late 1851, a time not long after both companies were founded. Finding much in common with their shared ethic of integrity and uncompromising quality, Patek Philippe co-founder Antoine Norbert de Patek and Charles Lewis Tiffany cemented their now-historic business relationship with a handshake agreement that has produced a legacy of excellence to the present day.
Building upon this, the new Tiffany & Co. Patek Philippe Salon will offer customers and enthusiasts of fine timepieces a unique environment of luxury and interactive participation. Designed by French architect Patrick Gaguech, the salon boasts an Art Deco period-inspired design, accentuated with cabinetry and custom furnishings in exotic hardwoods, along with fine leather, alabaster and ironwork that underscore the luxury of Patek Philippe products. In addition to featuring a full collection of current Patek Philippe watches, the salon will also offer a library, a studio for repair work, and a customer consultation section.
To celebrate the opening of the salon, Patek Philippe will host a three-day exhibit entitled "The Values of a Family Watch Company". Located on the fifth floor of the Tiffany & Co. flagship store, and taking up 4,000-square-feet of space, this unique exhibition--the most comprehensive seen outside of Switzerland--will showcase an assemblage of approximately 400 timepieces which span the 169-year history of Patek Philippe. The exhibit will be open for public viewing from April 24-26, 2008.
Commenting on the inauguration of the Patek Philippe salon at Tiffany & Co., Patek Philippe USA President Larry Pettinelli said, "We are proud to work with our longest standing partner, Tiffany & Co., in creating a salon of this magnitude. Our goal is to create an exciting and interactive environment to serve as a world-wide destination for watch enthusiasts.
The new Tiffany & Co. Patek Philippe salon will join the other four Patek Philippe salons in Geneva, Paris, London, and Shanghai.