The exhibition, located at the Sands Theatre at Marina Bay Sands, covers over 20,000 square-feet of space with over 10 rooms that detail the historical and cultural importance of Patek Philippe. There’s a lot (and we mean, a lot) to take in, and so we’ve tasked it upon ourselves to break it down for you. Here’s our ultimate guide to the Patek Philippe Watch Art Grand Exhibition 2019 Singapore Edition and what to look out for.

Main Entrance

Opening Film

Pick up your audioguides after the film, where you’ll be ushered into the Current Collection Room, which showcases its entire catalogue (minus the Grand Complications, which has its own dedicated room). About 200 models are on display, including the new 2019 limited edition models made specially for the event. For more on the special editions, click here.

The current collection is presented in a reproduction of the Patek Philippe Salons situated in the historic headquarters in Geneva’s Rue de Rhône, which the company has resided since 1853.

Pro tip: if there are too many people crowding around the display case for the special editions, there’s another set in the next room, sitting quietly next to the huge tome Patek Philippe: The Authorized Biography by Nicholas Foulkes.

Napoléon Room

There is a panorama of the Lake Geneva with its iconic fountain spring in the room as well, the same view you would have if you were in the historic building in Rue du Rhône. Take a brief respite here before heading to the next room (which is also my favourite).

Museum Room

The Sterns have collected timepieces from every period and every major manufacture and watchmaker for over 40 years, and made their unique collection accessible to the public through the Geneva museum, and now also here, at the exhibition in Singapore.

Start from the left as you walk around the room and don’t forget to use your audioguide to hear tidbits about each fascinating timepiece. Here you’ll find pocket watches and unique pieces commissioned by royalty, as well as the very first inventions in watchmaking — from the first portable clocks, the first wristwatch, to the first world timers and so on.

Rare Handcrafts Gallery

In this room, the artisans demonstrate their craft, pausing every now and then to answer queries or let people peek at their work through loupes and microscopes. Elsewhere around the room, their works are displayed across the room, including 32 exclusive timepieces, including specially commissioned “Singapore Grand Exhibition 2019 Rare Handcrafts” editions.

Anita Porchet is one of the most well-known enamelers today, and a frequent collaborator with Patek Philippe. She is also on hand to share her works with exhibition goers, patiently explaining (through a translator) the different enamelling techniques.

Movements Room

The calibre 300 is the movement inside the Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime, one of the most complicated wristwatches the company has ever produced. The movement features 20 complications, and exhibition goers can immerse themselves in the masterpiece by going on the virtual reality experience, where they can attempt to put together one of the complications and understand how all the parts come together.

The room after this is the Engineer’s Room, where the Calibre 300 is more detailedly mapped out, and technical specialists are on hand to explain how the timepiece is developed.

Grand Complications Room

Patek Philippe might be a long established brand but it’s not staying still. It operates a think tank called “Patek Philippe Advanced Research,” and for the first time, you can view of all its creations in one of the showcases in this room.

Many of its patents have since been utilised in the production of its current collection, but it is fascinating to see where it all began. Silinvar technology is one of the major breakthroughs Patek Philippe had in this department, which is used to produce silicon-based watch parts including the balance, the escape wheel, flat hairsprings and escapements.

The Watchmaker’s Room

We are nearing the end! Here is where you will be face to face with Patek Philippe’s master watchmakers standing behind their établis, their workbenches, who are here to share their knowledge and explain how the movements work for the general public.

The Photocall area that follows is where you return your audioguides and take a snapshot against the red backdrop for keepsakes, Before you go, don’t miss the Singapore Room, which is back at the entrance hall, a showcase of watches that are connected with the Southeast Asia region, including watches on loan from collectors in the region.

The Watch Art Grand Exhibition opened on September 28 and runs until October 13, 2019. Open daily from 10 am to 7 pm, admission is free. Interested parties need only register for complimentary tickets at patek.com.