The art of cloisonné enamel has always been Patek Philippe’s proud heritage jewel celebrated by esteemed collectors. Essentially a lost art today, cloisonné enamelling is an ancient decorative technique practised only by the best artisans. The art form involves a challenging and painstakingly long technical process, which involves manoeuvring thin gold wires to form intricate outlines, craving out compartments for filling in enamel. It requires microscopic detailing by hand, small enough to create a finished portrait on the dial. It takes tremendous skills to achieve the ideal colours, and to avoid causing dial cracks during the heating process. Depending on the intricacy of the design, a single design can return to the kiln up to 12 times, and a perfect dial is the result of great technical virtuosity and strenuous efforts.

Launched in 2003, the present reference 5076 consists of a range of enamel dial variants, each focusing on different subject matters, with depictions of the Geneva Lake, Zodiacs or amiable fishes like the present example. The fish series was launched with four types of distinct fishes in limited production before it was discontinued in 2006. Cased in a perfect canvas of the elegant platinum rectangular Gondolo case, the present watch features a pair of beautiful Orangetail Butterflyfish, swimming amidst the rippling sea meadows. The intricately shaped gold wires glisters under different lightings and complements the alluring shades of blue of the moving water.

A splendid object of art fusing traditional Swiss artisanal craft and technical excellence, the present timepiece is offered in exceptional condition, and accompanied by the original Patek Philippe Certificate of Origin. It will without a doubt appeal to the tasteful connoisseurs with an appreciation of artisan timepieces.