Patek Philippe Metier d’Arts collection is dedicated to the preservation of traditional and highly complicated decoration techniques such as cloisonné enamelling and guillochage. Today - the same as in days past - only a handful of artisans have mastered these techniques, and it is in this department that Patek Philippe at the same time produces exquisite creations such as the present timepiece, and also perpetuates these ancient techniques by teaching them to few selected pupils.

The present watch is an example of cloisonné enamelling, a decoration known for the superbly vibrant and colourful dials it produces, as well for its daunting complexity. The design is first “compartmentalised”, each compartment (cloison) realised with gold thread. Subsequently, the cloisons are filled with enamel powder and the dial undergoes a series of high temperature firings which melt and vitrify the enamel powder. The artisan needs to be technically extremely skilled - temperature fluctuations or improper handling result in an irremediably cracked dial - but that is only part of the craft. Enamel powder changes color during firing, thus one has to predict these changes beforehand in order to be able to obtain the intended final design.

The present piece is particularly interesting for two reasons: it is the reproduction of a detail of Henry Rousseau’s painting the dream (today at the Moma, NY) and, most importantly, it was created by one of the most skilled enamelers currently active: Anita Porchet. She was awarded in 2015 the Prix Gaïa, an award granted yearly by the watchmaking museum (Musée international d'horlogerie) of Le-Chaux-de-Fonds and considered the “Nobel” of watchmaking. Her initials AP are featured on the dial at 8 o’clock, a detail not present in all cloisonné dials and which can be considered akin to having an important painting bearing the signature of the artist, rather than one without.