Mirroring the elegant products available in-store, the salon’s interior pays homage to the stunning watches.
A near infinite number of top tier boutiques and flagships stand ready to greet the pedestrians strolling down New York’s famed Fifth Avenue. Louis Vuitton and Prada appear alongside the likes of Harry Winston and Cartier, and Tiffany & Co. is yet another legendary company that graces this unparalleled stretch of retail heaven. As of April 2008, the renowned jewelry retailer stepped it up a notch on the glamour scale through its partnership with legendary watchmaker Patek Phillippe.
Tiffany’s affiliation with Philippe began more than 150 years ago in 1851, when both company founders agreed to a high standard of excellence and integrity. The partnership seemed perfect: Tiffany was a luxury emporium and Philippe was a legend in the watchmaking industry. Today, both companies have proven how a partnership based on trust and honor can lead to such monumental success. The historic partnership has led to the Swiss watchmaker’s first U.S. store situated inside Tiffany & Co.’s New York flagship. The New York site is one of only five existing Patek Philippe around the world, including Geneva, London, Paris, and Shanghai.
Located on the mezzanine in the heart of Fifth Avenue, the 3,000-square-foot salon was planned by French designer Patrick Gaguech, who found inspiration in the Art Deco period and the work of early ’30s designer Jacques-Emile Ruhlmann. The salon serves as an elegant showroom for the Patek Philippe watch collection, including the latest assortment of masterpieces such as the Perpetual Calendar, which features a platinum case and 36 baguette diamonds.
Mirroring the elegant products available in-store, the salon’s interior pays homage to the stunning watches. The cabinetry and furnishings are made from burled maple and Indian palisander while custom-made rich brown and deep yellow patterns carpet the floor, perfectly matching the velvety brown drapes and textured green upholstery. The décor is aesthetically pleasing and creates a soothing and peaceful store atmosphere.
Consultation areas, crystal chandeliers, sofas, curved armchairs, a library, and plasma screens entice visitors as they enter the exquisite sitting room. The mirror framed in maple-trimmed palisander is worth noting as it retracts to reveal a separate studio where watchmakers practice their art, creating a feeling of nostalgia for the time when Patek Philippe was first formed in 1839.
To help with the celebrations of their new store opening, a collection of timepieces from the Patek Philippe Museum in Geneva has been made available for public viewing. These breathtaking pieces chronicle the art of horology and reflect the historical importance of Philippe’s development in the watchmaking business.
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