The words "Rare Handcrafts" carry profound significance within the realm of Patek Philippe. In its commitment to safeguarding Geneva's prestigious artisanal heritage, the brand hosts an annual exhibition to showcase an extraordinary collection of one-of-a-kind and limited-edition timepieces, all crafted to highlight age-old techniques such as marquetry, gem-setting, guilloché, enameling, and hand-engraving.
The present masterpiece from the Rare Handcrafts collection embodies four of these five crafts, resulting in a stunning and totally unique work of horological art. Crafted entirely from yellow gold, its case features intricate guilloché and a hand-engraved, leaf-like basket-weave motif, perfectly complementing the watch's jungle-inspired theme. A yellow sapphire, set on the crown, perhaps symbolizes the sun streaming through dense foliage that is meticulously depicted on the bow band. However, the true focal point of this exceptional timepiece is the miniature rendition of Henri Rousseau's "Fight Between a Tiger and a Buffalo," masterfully reimagined by Anita Porchet.
Henri Rousseau's Tiger with a Buffalo (also known as Fight Between a Tiger and a Buffalo) is a striking and vivid depiction of the natural world, set in a lush jungle. Painted in 1908, the scene shows a fierce tiger attacking a buffalo in a dense, exotic forest filled with rich green vegetation and wild plant life. The animals are locked in a tense, primal struggle, with the tiger's body crouched, teeth bared, and claws extended as it clings to the buffalo. The buffalo, in contrast, appears in distress, its powerful body contorted as it struggles to escape. Despite the violent subject matter, there is a calm, otherworldly stillness to the jungle itself, as if the surroundings are separate from the brutal confrontation taking place.
Anita Porchet masterfully reproduced this lush jungle in miniature enamel with fantastic detail: working with 12 basic colors and calling for more than 20 firings at temperatures of 800°C.
Turning to the main dial, the solid gold base is meticulously hand-guillochéed, then layered with translucent enamel, creating a rich depth and dimensionality in a stunning display of flinqué enameling. The Breguet numerals, darkened through galvanization, stand out beautifully against the gold background, providing a striking contrast that enhances the dial’s elegance.
This exceptional work of horological art pays homage to the timeless traditions of fine watchmaking while presenting an aesthetic that is both visually captivating and contemporary. It is truly a masterpiece for both devoted Patek Philippe collectors and enthusiasts who appreciate the pinnacle of modern artisanal craftsmanship.
Presented in like-new condition and complete with all its original accessories, including a hand-crafted yellow gold stand on an oval Macassar ebony base, this unique reference 992/107J is being offered for the first time at auction—an unmissable opportunity.